Megan Dowdall-inspired Westmeath defeat Derry

A goal from the outstanding Megan Dowdall three minutes from the end of normal time finally confirmed Westmeath's Very Camogie League Division 2A final triumph after Derry had threatened a remarkable comeback.

The Lakesiders had led by nine points in the first half after a flurry of goals, but Derry had it back to two in the final quarter before Dowdall’s second major settled the tie.

The sharpshooter had taken Derry for 4-04 in the group stages and was dangerous again, finishing with 2-03 on this occasion. She had plenty of support up front in the shape of the experienced Sheila McGrath and lively Hannah Core.

Áine Barton has long been Derry’s go-to operator in attack and she stood up to the plate once more to drag her side back into it after it had looked like they might be overrun in that opening period.

Barton finished with 10 points but it wasn’t enough to reel the Maroons in.

Amelia Shaw dropped into the middle third, leaving the experienced Aoife Ní Chaiside as a plus one in defence, but Westmeath were still able to work enough space to get their strike force into threatening positions.

Dowdall showed good acceleration to get on the ball from one of the first passages of play and turned smartly to open the scoring but good work by Aoife Shaw set up Dervla O’Kane for a fourth minute equaliser.

Shaw then won another dirty ball and sent Barton on her way to give Derry the lead.

It didn’t last long though as Core pounced when Derry should have cleared to handpass to McGrath, who blasted to the net from close range in the seventh minute.

Barton and Core exchanged points before Dowdall made her mark, grabbing her initial goal and then arcing over a lovely point to put six between them.

Niamh Gribbon made a smart save from Core