Roscommon produced an exciting finish to stun Westmeath and book a place in the TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate Championship final.
This game appeared destined for extra-time, tied 2-10 to 1-13 writes Ivan Smyth.
However, Lauren Shanagher’s goal and Aisling Feely’s converted free ensured Roscommon reached their first TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate Championship final since 2005.
Now, Roscommon will play in Croke Park for the first time since 2001, where they will face Fermanagh.
Both sides were without key personnel. Aisling Hanly is away travelling while Vicky Carr missed out for Westmeath.
Roscommon sharpshooter Aisling Feely got the ball rolling with two early points. On the flip side, Westmeath struggled to convert their chances.
Four wides in the opening eight minutes was an early sign that Roscommon’s deployment of Saoirse Wynne as sweeper was working.
An Abby Curran point propelled Roscommon three points ahead while at the opposite end, Sarah Dillon was denied a game levelling goal by a superb Helena Cummins save.
Westmeath found the breakthrough they craved straight after that stop. Anna Jones ’45 ended up in the net to tie the game at 1-0 to 0-3.
Roscommon power for home
Despite Westmeath registering six wides after 17 minutes, they showed their menace when Ashley Ruane’s powerful surge ended in her blasting to the net.
The Roscommon response was immediate. Within 90 seconds, Róise Lennon showed impressive composure to fire low to the net under severe pressure.
The game was now moving at a rapid pace with a superb Ella Thompson effort momentarily nudging Roscommon in front.
However, two neat Sarah Dillon scores and an Anna Jones free saw Westmeath lead 2-4 to 1-5 at half-time.
Katie Kilmurray increased Westmeath’s advantage upon the resumption. However, in what was a rip roaring second-half Roscommon fought back.
Ella Thompson was superb, her well taken effort capped a run of three points without reply and tied the game at 2-5 to 1-8.
Thompson’s third point from wing back kickstarted another run of three scores without reply for the Rossies.
An Aisling Feely effort propelled Roscommon 1-11 to 2-6 in front. Sarah Dillon and Lauren Shanagher traded efforts before a superb two-point free from Anna Jones tied the game.
In a dramatic finale, Roscommon showed impressive mental fortitude as Shanagher found the bottom corner of the net before Feely ensured Finbar Egan’s side will grace Croke Park on August second.
Roscommon winning out 2-14 to 2-10.
Westmeath: A Temple; F Coyle, C Kelly Gonoud, S Murphy; L Power, A Ruane, L McCartan; A Jones, C Kilmurray; A Keegan (P Ruane HT), L McCartan, T Dillon; S Dillon, R Higgins, K Kilmurray.
Scorers: Jones 1-3, (1-0 ’45, 1tpf, 1f), S Dillon 0-4, A Ruane 1-0, C Kelly Gonoud, C Kilmurray, K Kilmurray 0-1 each.
Roscommon: H Cummins; Á Connaughton, M McKeon, Á McGrath; N Feeney (G Lohan 60), R Cox, E Thompson; E Irwin (R Fitzmaurice 59), A Curran; K Nolan (N Watson 50), S Wynne, L Mannion; R Lennon (L Shanagher 50), A Feely, C Lennon.
Scorers: A Feely 0-6 (3f), L Shanagher and R Lennon 1-1 each, E Thompson 0-3, A Curran, L Mannion and C Lennon 0-1 each.
Referee: David Hurson (Monaghan).
