Hardy Charlestown overcome Westport
Charlestown Ladies made it 2 wins out of 2 in this year’s championship in Westport late Sunday evening. Playing in terrible weather conditions is fast becoming the Ladies natural habitat as yet again they had to deal with not just a fancied Westport side but the softest of soft days!
Good Start Key to Victory
Charlestown made an excellent start to the game with several early goals and points opening up an almost unassailable lead. A shell-shocked Westport side found it hard to regain their composure throughout the half and Charlestown were ruthless, finishing almost every chance coming to them. The hand passing and foot passing were of the highest quality from the Ladies throughout with barely one pass going astray. Westport’s passing, on the other hand, really let them down, with the ball spilling to the greasy surface more often than not. Charlestown showed the greater hunger throughout and dominated the breaking ball battle. Nora McGovern was the creator in chief in the first half sending in measured kick passes into the Charlestown full forward line of Finn and Doherty time and again.
The sides would go in 0-4 to 4-5 at half time.
Composure the Key in Second Half
Inevitably Westport, aided by the wind, had more possession and chances in the second half. Charlestown found it difficult to get the ball out of their half for long periods. Westport, going for goals from the off, squandered several quilt-edged chances to cut the deficit. Charlestown’s composure was the stand-out feature of their second half display, particularly in defence. Time and again they had to work the ball out from their own full back line while hemmed in by Westport’s attack . The defensive unit never panicked and were patient enough to wait for the right pass to materialize.
Forward’s in lethal form
Not to be outdone by the backs the Charlestown forwards were in impressive form throughout. All 5 forwards got on the scoreboard and, aided by the midfield, put serious pressure on the Westport kick-out throughout. Deirdre Doherty was her usual clinical self when one on one with the goalie, scoring most of the Charlestown’s goals, with sister Abigail also beating the goalie, her soccer-style goal in the first half being one of the highlights of the game. Point of the game came from McGovern late in the second half, her long range effort coming during a period of Westport dominance which really steadied the ship and turned the tide back in Charlestown’s favour.
Into the Final
Charlestown’s win, combined with other results mean that Charlestown cannot finish lower than second in the group. A county final for the second year in a row is their reward and they will face either St. Brigid’s or Westport in the final, with the victor of that game certain to up their performance considerably come final time. Charlestown still have Louisburgh to face before that this weekend, although this game may be cancelled due to it essentially being a dead rubber.
