Relegation fears grow after damaging defeat

Westmeath 1-14

Roscommon 1-10

Roscommon’s battle to avoid an immediate relegation back to Division Three will go to the final day as the ladies suffered a disappointing defeat to Westmeath.

The home side were full value for their win as they led Roscommon by 11 points before Finbar Egan’s charges kicked a late 1-4 without reply.

A Roscommon win would have relegated Westmeath but the home side produced their best display of the year when needed most. 

Victory for Roscommon would have moved them up to fifth in the table and all but secured their Division Two status.

Now they sit on four points alongside both Westmeath and Clare. Roscommon ladies will play Tipperary next week, who sit on six points and are not out of the relegation picture.

Meanwhile, Clare face a Galway side that have already secured their league final berth while Westmeath come up against a Monaghan side who will be looking to rebound from their chastening defeat to Galway next time out.

Despite not being at their best, Roscommon managed to lead this game 0-3 to 0-2 with Aisling Hanly grabbing an early brace. From there Westmeath took over as they kicked seven points without reply as Roscommon struggled to deal with their opponent’s runners from deep.

Anna Jones kicked five of those and even though Roscommon responded with efforts from Mannion (free) and Hanly, Westmeath led 0-10 to 0-5 at the break.

That deficit was not irretrievable considering Roscommon enjoyed wind advantage in the second half but their struggles from the opening period continued.

Westmeath outscored Finbar Egan’s charges 1-4 to 0-1 in the first 19 minutes of the second half as Ashley Ruane found the net as Roscommon were unable to halt her run from deep.

Roscommon rallied with Megan McKeon netting but their fate will be decided next week.