Kildare Gaynor Cup 2025

 Kildare 1

South Belfast 0

On Monday Kildare  created history by being the first 3rd seeded side to beat a number one seeded opponent 

After a nervy opening couple of minutes Kildare took control of this tie with some high pressing. This led to a number of early chances which they couldn't convert. Down the far end the defense stood up strong anytime they were called upon. With eight minutes left in the half they deservedly broke the deadlock when Leah O’ Donoghue found the back of the net. This meant they were one up at the break.

Once the game resumed conditions began to worsen and legs began to tire but with some extra impetus from the bench the Lillywhotes kept their opponents at bay. This meant they had topped the group of three on the opening night.

Kildare 1

Wexford 3

After a strong start it was the southeast side who ultimately brought back all three points in this second group game.

Within five minutes of this game starting Kildare had managed to take the lead with a strike from Amy Martin. Their opponents then battled back into the tie and after some heroic defensive efforts managed to level the tie after fifteen minutes. Just as it looked like we would go in at the half tied  Emma Fitzpatirkc fired in from distance.

Once the game resumed it was clear that not much would separate these sides as both defenses made some great last ditch blocks as the ball was flying towards the goal. As for the goalies they both produced some fine moments. The tie was eventually ended as a contest with ten to go Ellie Byrne ensured all three points for her side.

This meant Kildare would face South Tipperary on Wednesday afternoon  in the bowl quarter final.

South Tipperary 2

Kildare 1

In what were awful conditions on Wednesday it was the Munster side who got the win by the odd goal in three in this encounter.

After a strong opening couple of minutes Kiladre broke though and created a number of half chances but through a combination of good defending  and tough conditions they couldn't get the elusive breakthrough.

It was then against the run-of-play  that Tipp took the lead when Niamh Dunphy slotted home four minutes before the interval.

Once again Kiladre started the second period strongly controlling the middle but they were dealt a hammer blow when the Munster side broke away and doubled their advantage through that girl Dunphy again. From then on it was all the Leinsster side as they created a number of chances. They eventually narrowed the gap with twenty to go when Alan Burke found Lia Nolan to fire home. The last chance of the tie fell to Nolan whose effort flew narrowly wide of the post.

This meant it was seeding  that this unfortunate Kiladre side would play for. 

Thursday 

Place Match 2

Kildare 0

Limerick County 1

A strong spirited second half performance  wasn't enough as the local county team came out on top Thursday evening.

Kildare started this game well before being hit with a sucker punch of a goal just before the twentieth minute  when Erin O’ Connor found the back of the net. This kicked the Lillywhites into gear but they couldn't manage to level the tie before half time.

Once this placement game got going again it was Kildare who controlled the second half carving out a number of chances but between the bounce of the ball and some excellent defending they couldn't break through. With ten minutes to go it looked like they had leveled only for the flag to be raised. With the final whistle looming they launched one last attack but this time it was the crossbar that denied them a well deserved level.

Friday 

Kildare 0 Pens (4)

Nerl.0 Pens (5)

It was a thirteenth  place finish in the end for Kildare  as they were defeated on penalties by their northern neighbors on Friday afternoon.

From the opening whistle Kildare gained an early foothold in this tie. Within four minutes they had fired in their first shot in anger at the opposition goal. They then started using the elements to their advantage with a number of corners causing havoc but not getting through the defence . Inside the last ten minutes of the half the two most notable chances fell to the Kildare side with a long range effort that nearly went past the goalie who had rushed off her line. With the final play of the half Amy Martin’s effort was well kept out to keep the tie scoreless at the break.

Once the game resumed chances became much harder to create as Nerl started to gain a foothold. Just like the first half it was the Kildare defence that stood strong any time they got near the opposition goal. In the final ten minutes both sides did create chances but Nerl’s effort flew over before a corner which led to a scrabble in the box which Kildare unfortunately couldn't capitalize on 

This meant that penalties would decide the outcome of this final game.

Pnealites 1st Leah O’ Donoghue (Scored)

2nd Lia Nolan (Saved)

3rd Emily Steed (Scored)

4th Amy Martin (Scored)

5th Katie Murphy (Scored)

Kildare Squad: Emily Mulhall ( Athy Town), Leah Angland ( Sallins United), Leah O’ Donoghue (Sallins United), Katie Murphy(Sallins United), Maisie Allen( Kilcock Celtic), Lauren Campion ( Kilcock Celtic), Rosie Logan (Sallins United), Amy Martin( Sallins United), Lia Nolan( Athy Town), Emer M McManus ( Kilcock Celtic), Cora Purcell (Prosperous Utd AFC), Millie O’ Sullivan ( Naas AFC), Hayley Potts(Sallins United), Emma Baker(Sallins United),  Laura JaworekSallins United), Caoimhe Arthurs Prosperous Utd AFC), Amy Nnagbugwu (Sallins United), Emily Steed( Moone Celtic), Alana Blake (Prosperous Utd AFC), Ella Louise Donnelly ( Kilcullen AFC).

Manager; Claire Murphy

Coaches: Niamh Caroll, Mick Murphy.

GK Coach Simon Potts.