By Emma Duffy

Cork manager Ephie Fitzgerald was happy with his six-in-a-row chasing side's Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 1 win over Westmeath but was also displeased with aspects of their play.

He gave credit to the midlanders for that, but also felt that Cork weren't at the pace of the game for periods.

"It was a win, but it wasn't the most fluent football we have played," he said.

"The wind was swirling and it seemed to be all over the place. There was no fluency in the game because of it and it made it hard to get going and play some decent football.

"But we are happy to take the points in a game we were expected to win really. It was probably hard for the girls to motivate themselves and I don't think we were at a pitch mentally as we would be when we would be playing the likes of Dublin and others at the top.

"That's not being disrespectful to Westmeath, but some games you are just up for more naturally. In fairness to them they were very dogged and made it tough for us right through.

"They hung in there and defensively they were very hard to break down and we gave away a lot of ball ourselves as well."

Orla Finn's 2-6 helped the second placed Rebels to a 10-point win over the 2017 Division 2 champions, who are yet to record a point in this year's top flight standings.

Cork started the stronger of the two sides but a Fiona Claffey goal in the 20th minute kept Westmeath in touch. It was what Cork needed to spark them to life though as Finn, Doireann O'Sullivan and Melissa Duggan all produced impressive performances to lead their side to their third win of the campaign.

"There are loads of things we can work on going forward, but as I said just happy to get the points and that was the most important thing," Fitzgerald concluded.

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