Jackies comeback from seven-point deficit to secure win

Sun, 4th February 2018

DUBLIN 2-10 WESTMEATH 2-5

Dublin showed the experience of champions when coming from seven points in arrears early in the second half to run out five-point victors over Westmeath in Sunday's Lidl Ladies NFL clash at Lakepoint Park, Mullingar.

Westmeath looked poised to pull off a shock win when they went seven points up (2-5 to 0-4), after Kelly Boyce Jordan struck for their second goal in the 41st minute.

But Dublin – aided by the half-time introduction of attacking ace Noelle Healy – eventually turned the tide.

A goal from influential midfielder Carla Rowe proved a key moment, reducing the deficit to three points, 2-5 to 1-5. The visitors were in control thereafter with a goal from Sinead Aherne sealing victory by a flattering margin.

Helped by a splendid goal from promising young midfielder Anna Jones in the seventh minute, Westmeath led 1-4 to 0-4 at half-time. In truth, they should have led by more. Just before the interval Westmeath’s Maud Annie Foley had a gilt-edged goal chance but her shot was saved from point blank range by Dublin keeper Ciara Trant.

Foley scored three points from frees in the first half – adding one in the second period – with Westmeath’s other white flag raised by Johanna Maher.

For the Dubs Sinead Aherne finished as top scorer with 1-6, her six points coming from frees.

But Mick Bohan’s side had to endure plenty of uncomfortable moments, with Westmeath having a goal disallowed early in the second half for what was adjudged to be a ‘square ball’.

Dublin had two players sin-binned after receiving yellow cards – Laura McGinley (late in the first half) and Deirdre Murphy – with Westmeath’s Johanna Maher receiving the same sanction close to the end.

SCORERS - Dublin: S Aherne 1-6 (0-6f), C Rowe 1-0, N Healy 0-2, S Goldrick, L Collins 0-1 each. Westmeath: MA Foley 0-4 (0-4f), K Boyce Jordan, A Jones 1-0 each, J Maher 0-1.

DUBLIN: C Trant; L McGinley, K Murray, K Fitzgibbon; S Goldrick, M Ní Scanaill, L Collins; O Carey, C Rowe; A Kane, L Davey, E Rutledge; R McDonnell, O Whyte, S Aherne. Subs: N Collins for Ní Scanaill (30); H O’Neill for Kane (31); L Magee for Carey (ht), N Healy for Whyte (ht), D Murphy for L Collins (ht); L Caffrey for McGinley (41); M Byrne for Murray (41); E Flanagan for McDonnell (43); S O’Mahony for Fitzgibbon (53); D Lawless for Rutledge (60).

WESTMEATH: K Walsh; R Dillon, A Giles, N Feery; K Boyce Jordan, F Claffey, F Coyle; K McDermott, A Jones; K Hegarty, MA Foley, J. Maher; S Dolan, L Walsh, L McCartan. Subs: C Kelly for Hegarty (43); L Brennan for Boyce Jordan (50); A Alford for S Dolan (53); A Dolan for Jones (60); E Cronin for McDermott (60).

REF: N McCormack (Laois).