Another titanic battle between two very impressive teams in Fr. O’Hara Park in front of a bumper crowd. Nothing separated the sides at half time as they went in 1-4 apiece.
The first 5 minutes of the 2nd half proved to be the key period of the game. With Charlestown down to 14 players (Ella Brennan sin-bin) Westport caught Charlestown cold with a quick 2-1 without reply. All of a sudden there was a 7 point gap. You feared for Charlestown at this point but to their credit they regrouped admirably and slowly but surely chipped away at the Westport lead for the reminder of the game. A Shona Mahon goal with 10 minutes remaining brought them back to 2 points and you felt that with the momentum there was a real chance of upsetting the odds for Charlestown.
Westport managed to steady the ship however and Charlestown just couldn’t find a way through, with Westport turning the ball over time and again and counter attacking at speed, knocking 2 more points over to see them over the line.
It all comes down to next weeks encounter with neighbours Kilmovee, in Kilmovee. A win for Charlestown can still see them through but it will also depend on the result in the other game. A win there for Burrishoole against Westport will mean it will go to goals/points difference. While Kilmovee can finish anywhere from first if they win big to last if they lose. Regardless it looks as if the calculators will have to be at the ready for all 4 clubs in the group come Sunday afternoon!
Half Time Score:
Charlestown: 1-4
Westport: 1-4
Scorers For Charlestown:
Deirdre Doherty: 1-3
Shona Mahon: 1-0
Kelle Crean: 0-1
Katie Gavin: 0-1
Jennifer O’Donnell: 0-1
Chelsea Doherty: 0-1
