A late goal by Megan Dowdall ensured that Westmeath would leave Croke Park as Very National Camogie League 2A Champions, Westmeath having to dig deep to get past a stern Derry test.

By the end of the opening quarter it looked like Westmeath would cruise in the tie leading 3-3 to 0-3 but Derry failed to roll over and concede the tie. Aine Barton, their main figurehead in attack, slotted over nine points to keep them constantly ticking on the scoring front.

Westmeath had Dowdall to thank with 2-3 in the tie, 1-1 of which arrived late on to seal the win. 13-15 now for Dowdall in the league this season, while Sheila McGrath was also an inspiration, netting two goals as was Amelia Shaw scoring four important points in the second half.

Westmeath drew first blood when the ever reliable Megan Dowdall pointed in the second minute. Derry replied well however as Dervla O’Kane equalised in the fourth minute before Aine Barton, their danger in attack fired them into the lead a minute later.

At the back Derry had done well to neutralise a Westmeath goal chance prior to Barton putting them into the lead. Two minutes later they could do little to prevent Sheila McGrath scoring the opening goal.

Dowdall kept possession in a ruck shy of the Westmeath penalty area, Hannah Core won the dirty ball from the ruck and fired the sliotar across for McGrath to strike to the roof of the Derry net 1-1 to 0-2 after seven minutes.

Core furthered the lead before Barton from a difficult angle made it a two point game shy of the ten minute mark. Westmeath had their tails up and a long ball inside found Dowdall, using quick feet to evade the Derry marker, Dowdall sent a rasper of a strike to the net for a second goal for Westmeath 2-2 to 0-2 on ten minutes.

Megan Dowdall goal, ball sent in long, Dowdall gathered, slipped by the marker and shot a rasper to the net. Dowdall followed up with a point and as the opening quarter was coming to an end a great save by Derry net minder Niamh Cribben denied Core a chance to add a third goal for The Lake County.

That third goal would arrive in the 15th minute and it was a beautiful well worked move once again. Derry coughed up possession coming out from the back as Westmeath turned it over in the ruck with Core again winning that dirty ball. Dowdall gathered possession and with precise vision spotted McGrath ghosting behind the Derry rearguard and the delivery was signed off by McGrath converting to an empty net. 3-3 to 0-3 as Westmeath were in pole position.

Despite their start, Westmeath failed to score in the final 15 minutes. Play was halted as Lauren McKeanna was down for a time receiving treatment and once play resumed, momentum was with Derry for the minutes which followed. Barton with three frees while Brid Rogers added a point from play, Derry behind by five at the break, 3-3 to 0-7.

Amelia Shaw grabbed a first score for Westmeath since that 15th minute mark as they drew first blood in the second half, settling them after that intense wave of Derry momentum that ended that opening period of the day.

Shaw added a free to further the Westmeath lead before Cribben needed to be alert to deny Megan Dowdall a chance at goal in an energetic opening ten minutes to the second half. The Oakleaf County would find their rhythm once again as O’Kane, Aoife Shaw and Rogers waved the white flag to cut the gap to four after 46 minutes. 3-05 to 0-10.

As the clock ticked into the final quarter Barton tacked on another free to the tally as the gap was down to just three points. Westmeath had not scored since the 39th minute and again needed to settle themselves, Shaw converted two frees for a five point game.

Derry again to their credit never backed down as we headed for the final ten minutes of normal time. Shaw added a second point of the afternoon from a free and two more inch perfect Barton frees cut the gap to two points after 53 minutes 3-07 to 0-14.

In the end Megan Dowdall would seal the 2A title for Westmeath. Striking a point to extend the lead to three, minutes later she added her 13th goal of the league campaign. Dowdall breaking clear and the first shot was saved well by Cribben, the rebound fell to Dowdall to strike home for a big insurance score in the final minutes.

Derry fought until the end, Barton and Rogers cutting the gap but when they needed goals they failed to arrive. Westmeath took the spoils in a strong performance to end the league campaign on a high.