2024 TG4 Leinster LGFA Intermediate Championship Final

Wexford 0-15

Westmeath 1-11

By Aisling Clery                                                            

A Player of the Match performance from Aoife Cullen ensured Wexford their first TG4 Leinster Intermediate title since 2019 in the basking sunshine at Laois Hire O’Moore Park this afternoon. In a tight and enthralling final that went all the way to the last minute against Westmeath, Wexford did just enough to be crowned champions.

The game was end to end throughout with the Slaneysiders two points ahead (0-8 to 0-6) at the break and while both sides had their chances it was Westmeath that found the net at the start of the second half. While Westmeath led for much of the second half, Wexford eventually found their way back and with a little over sixty seconds left on the clock, Aoife Cullen struck the winning free.

Sarah Dillon opened the scoring for Westmeath with a fine score on two minutes, but two Aoife Cullen frees put Wexford into the driving seat.

Leanne Slevin drew the game level with a brilliant score but Cullen’s free-taking proved solid as Wexford regained the lead. A super team move saw Chloe Fox find Caoilfhionn Ní Nualláin and she made no mistake with the finish on thirteen minutes.

Chloe Fox got on the scoreboard herself a minute later, but this was cancelled out by another Slevin score.

On sixteen minutes, Wexford were given the chance to build on their lead when referee Ray McBride pointed to the penalty spot. However, Westmeath netminder and Captain, Lauren McCormack had other ideas as she saved Catríona Murray’s shot and got it away to safety.

Wexford threatened goal once more a minute later. Bébhinn McDonald’s rasping shot rebounded off the crossbar and Amanda Power was on hand to punch over.

Westmeath reduced the deficit as Sarah Dillon hit her second point of the half, converted with her back to goal, a wonderful strike that went straight over the black spot.

While Westmeath did get another free through Leanne Slevin, points from Aoife Cullen (free) and Chloe Fox ensured Wexford went into half time two ahead, 0-8 to 0-6.

Westmeath got the dream start to the second half as Ashley Ruane fired a close range shot to the net after a well-timed pass from Kelly Boyce-Jordan. Vicky Carr followed this up with a point a minute later to see Westmeath’s lead stretch to two.

Aoife Cullen and Leanne Slevin swapped points before Cullen pointed again to leave just one between the teams, but Slevin converted two successive frees to push their lead back out to two points.

A fine score from Caoilfhionn Ní Nualláin brought Wexford back to within a single score with just over ten minutes left on the clock.

As both sides took their chances, Aoife Cullen hit two frees to put Wexford back into the lead.

With just two minutes left on the clock, Westmeath lay a siege on the Wexford goal with Anna Jones eventually opting to punch over the bar to draw the game level once more.

However, Wexford were not content with heading for extra time and when Aoife Cullen stepped up to take a free with a minute remaining, it proved to be the match winner as time ran out for Westmeath hunting an equaliser.

SCORERS: Wexford: A Cullen 0-9 (7f), C Ní Nualláin 0-3, C Fox 0-2, A Power 0-1.

Westmeath: L Slevin 0-5 (4f), A Ruane 1-0, S Dillon 0-2, A Jones 0-2, R Dillon 0-1, V Carr 0-1.

Wexford: S McCarthy, K English, M Byrne, A Power, C Banville, A Halligan, S Harding Kenny, R Murphy (C), C Donnelly, B McDonald, K Kearney, A Cullen, C Ní Nualláin, C Fox, C Murray.

Subs: G Donovan for Murray (43), L Doyle for A Power (53).

Westmeath: L McCormack, M Fagan, M Newman, R Dillon, T Dillon, L Power, F Coyle, V Carr, K Boyce-Jordan, A Jones, K Hegarty, C Kelly, S Dillon, L Slevin, A Ruane.

Subs: L McCartan for Newman (35), C Kilmurray for Hegarty (41), C Clarke McMahon for Fagan (48).

Referee: Ray McBride (Dublin).

Photo: Sportsfile