Carlow Gaynor Cup 2025

 Monday 

Carlow and District 1

Kerry 2

A last minute strike was all that separated the sides in the opening group game of the Gaynor Cup.

In what was awful conditions on Monday evening it was Carlow who gained an early advantage managing to use the elements to their advantage. This early control finally paid off when they broke down the field before Goda Gambickaite latched onto a pass from Natalia Deka before firing home to give her side a well deserved lead. This kicked the Munster side into gear and they eventually levelled with five minutes left in the half.

After the break chances became much more difficult to carve out as both sets of defenders were coming out on top. If a couple of long balls had bounced the right way carlow could have taken the lead again but through a mix of good luck and well timed blocks Kerry kept them at bay. Just as it looked like the points would be shared, Oraluth Flynn stepped up to give Kerry the win on the full time whistle.

Tuesday 

Carlow 5

Inishowen 1

After a tough opening day defeat Carlow got their competition back on track with a comfortable four goal win over their Ulster opponents.

Within five minutes of the opening whistle they had netted their first goal through Emily Carpenter after a lovely bit of play from Lilly Moynahan. As the half went on Carlow’s confidence began to flow with the same two girls teaming up as they doubled their advantage with ten minutes left in the half.

After the restart chances were coming thick and fast for the southeast side as this time Carpenter turned provider for Graiine Keogh to fire home a third goal. In the nearly the next phase of play it was the turn of Evie Stynes to set up Natlalia Deka to add another to her side's tally.  Both sides then started to empty the bench as the half went on. The Donegal side did manage to narrow the gap before a Kate Murphy pass was finished into the net by Goda Gambickaite to ensure the three points. 

Carlow 1

Cork 1

In what was arguably one of the results of the tournament Carlow managed to grab another point on Tuesday evening.

Unlike the last game this was a much tighter affair. It was Cork who had the better of the opening half but Carlow stood strong in the opening quarter of this final group game. As the half grew to a close the momentum had swung back in the southeast side's favor. After a number of half chances and on the cusp of half time they took the lead when a Kate Murphy ball fell to the ever dangerous  Emily Carpenter who finished well past the Cork shot stopper. 

When the game restarted  it was Cork who piled on the pressure creating a number of chances which were well kept out by the opposition defende. The tie was eventually level midway through the half as the pressure finally paid off. Even after this set back Carlow settled back into a rhythm especially defensively as they held out the Munster side to gain a valuable point in this group. 

This led to 3rd place finish in the group stages 

Wednesday 

Shield Quarter Final

Carlow 0 Penalostes (3)

Donegal 0 Penalties (4)

In what was a  tight game for the sixty minutes it was penalties that eventually put the Ulster side through and Carlow into the placement games.

In what was a cagy opening half it was both keepers that came out on top pulling off a number of top class saves. As the half dragged to a close no team could manage to grab that elusive lead goal before the break.

After the interval and playing with the elements Calow did eventually take control of the tie but unfortunately couldn't break through a resolute defensive performance from the opposition . This meant that the knockout tie would be decided on penalties.

Calow Penalties 

1st Emily Carpenter ( Scored)

2nd Kallie Dunne (Scored)

3rd Ellie Maher (Miss)

4th Laura Malone (Miss)

5th Evie Stynes (Scored)

Thursday 

Shield Place Match 

Kilkenny 1

Carlow 0

An early goal was enough to separate  the sides in this local derby.

The early play and chances all fell to Carlow as they struck two  early shots just wide of the opposition goal. Just as it looked like they would take complete control Aoibhe Meegan managed to fire home against the run of play for Kilkenny. This early goal didn't seem to affect the girls too much as they pushed forward at every opportunity but couldn't find a leveller  before the half time whistle.

When the tie resumed it was still Carlow who were pressing high and creating a number of chances. This pressure unfortunately didn't pay off as a number of efforts flew over and  past the opposition goal. With the time almost up it was the neighbors who carved out the last two chances with a free wll saved by Alice Carroll before the aforementioned kept her side in it with another outstanding  save. This wasn't enough though as the full time whistle was blown.

Once the final whistle was blown on Thursday we got the thoughts of manager Alan Smith.

He explains how the girls have performed well all week but were unlucky in a couple of games and only for the bounce of the ball could easily have finished higher. “ We played well all week. The girls performed to a very high standard but unfortunately the luck didn't go our way this week if the ball had bounced  differently we could have definitely placed higher.”

Carlow Squad: Heidi Buggy St Fiaccs, Orlaith Kehoe Slaney Rovers, Kate Murphy Hanover Harps, Kallie Dunne St Fiaccs, Ellie Maher St Fiaccs, Grainne Kehoe Killeshin, Cara Morgan St Fiaccs, Ruby Fenlon, Killeshin, Cara Shields New Oak, Sienna Smith St Fiaccs, Laura Malone Killeshin, Lauren Dunne St Anne’s, Lily Lawlor Kilree Celtic, Emily Carpenter New Oak, Natalia Deka St Fiaccs, Goda Gambickaite St Fiaccs, Sophia Farrell Hanover Harps, Lily Monahan St Fiaccs, Evie Stynes St Fiaccs, Alice Carroll Nurney Villa.

Manager: Alan Smith, 

Coaches Sean Maher, Emily Kelly , Ashlee Smith

Physio Leah Mullins.