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INTERVIEW 24 | AUTUMN 2021 | www.ladiesgaelic.ie By DARAGH SMALL I t will be Christmas before Lucy McCartan finally gets time to sit back and truly appreciate Westmeath's latest success. It was just after the first half water break when the St Loman's full forward burst through the Wexford cover and rocketed her shot past goalkeeper Sarah Merrigan. Westmeath went on to claim the TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate Championship and Mary Quinn Memorial Cup for the first time since 2011. But crucially, they bounced back to the senior ranks after their harrowing defeat to Meath in last year's decider. "When we came down three years ago, we just knew that the intermediate championship is so competitive," said McCartan. "There are so many teams gunning for that trophy. I am glad after the disappointment of last year we got back to Croke Park through the tough games that we had through the group and knockout stages. We got a performance on the day which we were delighted about because we were scraping a couple of matches before this. "The preparation, we were just a bit more organised, we knew what was coming. The crowd obviously was a huge difference. Last year playing in Croke Park with a big empty stadium was different, it was eerie nearly compared to what it was this year. This year, it was just fantastic, everything went right for us. The management got the preparation down to a tee and everyone was just buzzing for it. "We have had some years with Westmeath where we had very tough results, we have gotten a few hammerings. We have had some good days as well against bigger teams but they are few and far between Player Interview: Lucy McCartan reflects on TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate success "...WHEN WE CAME DOWN THREE YEARS AGO WE JUST KNEW THAT THE INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONSHIP IS SO COMPETITIVE. THERE ARE SO MANY TEAMS GUNNING FOR THAT TROPHY. I AM GLAD AFTER THE DISAPPOINTMENT OF LAST YEAR WE GOT BACK TO CROKE PARK...". Above: Lucy McCartan, Westmeath in action against Aisling Halligan, Wexford Below Left: Referee Shane Curley with Wexford captain Aisling Murphy and Westmeath captain Fiona Claffey Below Right: Westmeath captain Fiona Claffey lifts the Mary Quinn Memorial Cup