Gaynor Cup Final Carlow

                                                                

 Gaynor Cup Final 

Carlow 0

Midlands 0

Penalties (6-5)

Eoin Horkan 

UL

It was penalties that eventually was the difference in a tight tense final with Cara English scoring the decisive spot kick. 

It was Carlow who had the better of the opening exchanges with Jasmine. Doyle and her midfield partner Anna Cullen controlling the middle of the park . The first half chances fell to Carlow when a Eimear Bolger free kick flew wide inside ten minutes.  The first major chance of the half fell on the cusp of the first water break when top scorer Ciara Milton broke away but her effort was well kept out and the rebound was kept out also. 

After the break the game became end to end as both sides started to gain confidence. A Siobhan Sinnott corner nearly made its way directly into the net for the southeast side only for it to hit the crossbar. It was Sinnott who had the last chance for her side but couldn't break the deadlock . Midlands created the last chance of the half but Carla Byrne kept out a long range free 

After the resumption it was clear that one goal could win this final. Carlow broke away one again through Milton but Slattery in the opposition goal cleared it to safety. The Midlands couldn't create any chance of note early in the half as Cara English and her defense stood strong.

When play resumed after the second water break Milton nearly converted a free but yet again the bar stood in the way. Sinnotts rebound effort was kept out by the defense. The last chance of normal time fell to Milton after a fantastic run, unfortunately her effort just missed the far post. Sending the tie to extra time.

After a tough week for both sides no one could muster the energy to make any inroads towards either goal in the extra time 

Meaning this final would be decided by penalties

First up in the shootout was Sophie Bynre who finished well.  All penalties were emphatically put into the corner of the net 

Carlow Pen Scorer's; 1st Ciara Milton , 2nd Ashlee Smith, 3rd Keelie Doyle, 4th Siobhan Sinnott, 5th Eimear Bolger, 6th Cara English.

After a Carla Bynre save up stepped Cara English who had a dead leg yesterday to put away the final penalty giving her side the victory.

Midlands Pen Scorer's; 1st Sophie Byrne , 2nd Chloe Glynn 3rd Leah Stack, 4th Alison Judge , 5th Emma Mooney, 6th Caolifhinn Brett 

Carlow Starting team;Carla Byrne Tynan, Lucie O'Reily,Cara English, Hannah Kerfah, Aoife Bergin, Jasmine Doyle, Anna Cullen, Siobhan Sinnott,Eimear Bolger, Ashlee Smith, Ciara Milton.

Midlands Starting team; Aoibheann Slattery, Chloe Glynn, Alison Judge, Roisin Bradley, Erin McHugh, Leah Stack,Emma Mooney,Neasa Trainor, Sophie Byrne, Leah Concannon, Sarah Burke 

Referee Dean Turner 

Carlow;Carla Byrne Tynan Vale Wanderers, Lucie O'Reilly Killeshin, Cara English Killeshin, Hannah Kerfah St Fiacs, Aoife Bergin Burrin Celtic, Emma Malone Killeshin, Keelie Doyle Burrin Celtic, Anna Gurhy New Oak, Grainne Grennan Ballymurphy Celtic, Jasmine Doyle St Fiacs, Anna Cullen Burrin Celtic, Siobhan Sinnott New Oak, Eimear Bolger Burrin Celtic, Ashlee Smith, Ciara Milton Killeshin, Laura Malone Killeshin, Natalia Deka Nurney Villa, Ellie Maher St Fiaccs, Nicole Osborne St Fiaccs, Abby Keep Burrin Celtic 

Manager Alan Smith

Coach Paul Sinnott, Get Osborne 

Midlands;Aoibheann Slattery Birr Town, Chloe Glynn St Joseph's, Christina Waldron Belnamulla LFC, Alison Judge Killeigh FC, Roisin Bradley Abbeyleix FC, {c) Erin McHugh Temple Villa FC, Leah Stack, Emma Mooney Killeigh FC, Neasa Trainor Ballinahown FC, Sophie Byrne Willow Park, (vc)Leah Concanno! Ballinahown, Niamh Coughlam Killeigh FC, Caoilfhinn Brett Hudson Bay Celtic FC, Kacey Lee Finnmor Tullamore Town FC, Sophie Padden Temple Villa FC , Ellen Gorman Killeigh FC, Sarah Burke , Ciara Conroy , Lily Mae Conroy All Mountmellick FC.

Manager Glen Byrne,

Coach Padraic Glynn , Verona Smyth (Mooney)