Mayo Gaynor Cup 2025
Mayo 2
South Tipperary 1
A goal in either half from Saoirse Reynolds was enough to see mayo claim their opening win of the Gaynor Cup 2025.
It was Mayo who controlled this tie early on as they won the midfield battle by playing with bundles of energy. Within five minutes they nearly took the lead but a strike from Lilly Hurst was well defended. Just after the ten minute mark Saoirse Reynolds controlled a ball thirty yards out before unleashing a thunderous strike into the top corner. The side in green kept pressing forward once they took the lead but some well timed defensive tackles kept them at bay. With ten minutes to go in the half there Munster opponents broke away to level the tie through Farragh Madigan.
Once the second half started it was Mayo who gained a foothold creating a number of half chances but failing to convert. It wasn't until ten minutes to go that the pressure paid off as Reynolds bagged her second from the penalty spot ensuring victory for her side.
Tuesday
Mayo 1
Louth 0
An early first half strike was enough on Tuesday morning for Mayo to keep their winning streak going.
From the opening whistle Mayo piled on the pressure and within three minutes a Chloe Stagg effort flew just wide of the post. Moments later Lilly Hurst drove down the wing before finding Westport player Saoirse Reynolds who finished expertly for her side. After this early flurry both sides cancelled each other out until the break.
The second half was a much quieter affair as both sides battled the elements. Both sides did create a couple of half chances but between the elements causing havoc and defences being on top neither side could muster that goal. This would leave Mayo top of the group going into the final game.
Mayo 1
Kilkenny 2
A late second half rally wasn't enough to see Mayo win all three group games. Mayo goalie Jane Moran was the best performer producing a number of fantastic saves.
After two energy sapping games Mayo couldn't get control against a ravenous Kilkenny side. The south east side created some great chances inside the opening quarter but Moran produced some outstanding saves to keep them at bay. Eventually the deadlock was broken ten minutes before the half time whistle.
Once the game restarted fresh legs started to produce some rewards for the side wearing silver. This was until Kileknny were awarded a penalty against the run of play which was converted.
The final ten minutes saw an onslaught on the southeast side's goal, this led Kate McGing narrowing the gap. Time eventually ran out.
Wednesday Cup Quarter final
DDSL 3
Mayo 1
It wasn't to be for Mayo on Wednesday as a number of things seemed to go wrong against their Dublin opponents.
Within five minutes of the opening whistle Mayo had a penalty claim waved away as Sairse Reynplds broke through the defence. After this early chance both sides cancelled each other out until the quarter hour mark. This was when the Leinster side pushed forward and opened the scoring Aoibhe Galvin. Mayo wrestled back the momentum and started to push forward again and a second Reynolds penalty claim was waved away. It was then on the counter attack when the lead was doubled by Faith Dawson. A free kick right at the end of the half flew over the bar from Mayo.
The second half was all Mayo as they let the shackles off and played some great football.They created a number of early chances that were kept out by the opposition . Just as it looked like they would arrow the gap Isabella Macleod broke down the wing before slotting in past the onrushing goalkeeper who was injured in the play. This was a double blow as Maya Benson was shown a straight red before play restarted.
With what was nearly the final action of the game Reynolds shot in anger flew in to narrow the gap.
Thursday
Mayo 0
Wexford 3
It turned out to be a tough Thursday morning as Wexford ran out three goal winners.
Even though the southeast side had control of the ball in the opening couple of minutes it was Mayo who nearly opened the scoring but only for mis controlling the ball they would have taken the lead. It wasn't until ten minutes left in the half when the opposition did take the lead before adding a second minutes before the half time whistle.
Once the white was blown to restart Mayo defended well for the next twenty minutes as their southeast opponents pushed forward at every opportunity . Eventually the third and fourth goals were added in the last ten minutes. The final chance of the game fell to Saoirse Reynolds but unfortunately she couldn't add a consolation goal for her side.
Friday
Mayo 1
Waterford 0
A first half effort from Kate McGing saw Mayo seal 5th place in this year's Gaynor Cup.
After a tough loss yesterday this didn't seem to affect the Mayo girls too much as they gained an early foothold in this tie. Their first shot in anger at the Munster side's goal came from danger woman Saoirse Reynolds who saw her effort well saved. After this early chance Mayo kept the high press on and carved out a number of half chances but these were well kept put by the opposition defence. Just as it looked like we would go in level at the break Reynolds dispossessed her defender and after her effort on goal was saved, up stepped McGing to take the lead.
After the break Waterford began to wrestle back control of this tie firing a number of shots wide in the opening quarter of the half. Mayo stood strong while the pressure was building and the introduction of Maya Benson proved pivotal as she was a great outball any time the ball went into the opposition half. In the dying embers of the game the lead was nearly doubled but a free kick flew over the bar.
After the final whistle we got the thoughts of manager John Butler.
He praises his side, detailing how they couldn't have done much more.” They are the bravest girls I have come across. They gave it absolutely everything in every game they gave even more than they asked for.”
Mayo Squad: Jane Moran Fahy Rovers, Rheanna Hoban Westport Utd, Lily Hurst Castlebar Celtic , Amelia Duffy Manulla Fc, Kate McGing Westport United, Ella Connell Kimurry Youths, Chloe Stagg Ballinrobe Town, Robyn Butler Ballinrobe Town, Maya Benson Kilmurry Youths, Saoirse Reynolds Westport Utd, Leja Kosmakova Castlebar Town , Bonnie Walsh Claremorris AFC, Molly Sheridan Ballinrobe Town AFC, Sara McDonell Ballyvary Blue Bombers, Lola Hanley Claremorris AFC, Grace Hannick Conn Rangers, Andrea Kilbane Achill Rovers, Katarzyna Berkowska Straide + Foxford Utd, Victoria Palamarczuk Westport Utd , Grace Hannick Killala Fc.
Manager John Butler
Coaches Wesley Hurst, Joe Connell,
Physio Emma Gibbons.
Kit Jessica Lamb.
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