Midlands Gaynor Cup (Westmeath)

 Midlands Gaynor Cup 2025

Just a single goal kept the Midlands from finishing at the top of their group in the Gaynor Cup 

Midlands 4

Clare 0

On Monday evening, this young Midlands side delivered a thrilling display of football from start to finish, overcoming tough conditions to secure their first three points of the tournament.

Once they adapted to the challenging weather, the Midlands made an early breakthrough, taking the lead within ten minutes through a well-taken finish by Laurie Finnegan. As the half progressed, clear-cut chances were limited due to the swirling breeze, and despite a strong penalty appeal being waved away, they held a 1–0 lead at the break.

After the interval, the team in black doubled their advantage when Ciara Hilliard broke free and calmly slotted the ball past the advancing goalkeeper. With confidence growing, they added two more goals through Isobel Mooney, before Ellie Buckley capped off the performance with a final strike to seal an emphatic victory.

Midlands 2

Roscommon District 1

A strong second-half performance proved decisive as the Midlands side secured all three points on Tuesday morning.

Continuing their impressive form, the Midlands created several early chances, including two within the opening fifteen minutes. As the first quarter ended, the weather took a turn for the worse, with heavy rain making conditions more difficult. Despite this, the girls continued to press but couldn’t find a breakthrough before the halftime whistle.

The deadlock was finally broken just four minutes into the second half when Laurie Finnegan fired home from the edge of the box. However, against the run of play, the opposition were awarded a contentious penalty that left much of the crowd baffled—and the score was suddenly level.

Undeterred by the setback, the Midlands pushed forward and found the winner with ten minutes remaining, as Moya Kilmartin rose highest to head home from a corner.

Thursday 

Bowl Semi Finals

Kerry 1  Penalties 4

Midlands. 1 Penalties 5

After a tightly contested sixty-minute battle, this semi-final—like many others on the day—was ultimately decided by the drama of a penalty shootout.

Following a nervy opening, the Midlands side soon found their rhythm and took an early lead when Holly Greenan broke through the defense and calmly finished past the advancing goalkeeper. However, Kerry responded within ten minutes, leveling the tie with a well-placed header from the edge of the box. From that point until halftime, it was all Midlands pressure, forcing the Kerry keeper into two stunning saves to keep her side in the game.

The second half saw fewer chances as fatigue set in and both sets of centre-backs stood firm. While each team had a few half-chances and saw penalty appeals waved away, neither could find a breakthrough, sending the match to a shootout.

In the end, composure from the spot made the difference, as all five Midlands penalties were clinically dispatched into the corners—securing their place in Friday’s final.

Penalties Moya Kilmartin ( Goal)

Anna Phillips ( Goal )

Laurie Finnegan (Goal)

Ciara Hilliard ( Goal)

Isabel Mockler ( Goal)

Friday 

Bowl Final 

Galway 2

Midlands  0

A spirited second-half display wasn’t enough to overturn the halftime deficit in Friday afternoon’s Bowl Final.

Connacht took early control of the match, capitalizing on a Midlands side that had made several changes for their final outing. The team in maroon struck early, opening the scoring within five minutes and doubling their lead shortly after. Riding the momentum, they continued to threaten, but a combination of solid Midlands defending and the crossbar kept the score at 2–0 going into the break.

In the second half, both teams began to make use of their benches, and the fresh legs appeared to benefit the Midlands. They began to find space and create chances, the first of which came on the counterattack, only to be denied by a superb save from the Galway goalkeeper. Moments later, a dangerous cross flashed across the Connacht box, but no one was able to apply the finishing touch. The final effort of the game fell to Holly Grehan, whose well-struck shot was again met with a fine save, bringing the curtain down on a hard-fought contest.

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After the final whistle we got the thoughts of manager Henry Hilliard who spoke about how a goal was the big difference early on in the week. “ We were a bit unlucky in the group stages with a goal the difference between first and second.” 

He then goes on to praise his own side's performance  from Monday through to Friday. “ The girls have put in a massive effort all week and we are super proud of the achievements and they are well deserved after  three to four years of hard work.” 

Midlands Squad: Elsa Bird RFA Swans, Katie Corcoran, Temple Villa, Erin Rattray Temple Villa, Ellie Buckley (C)  Temple Villa, Mai Mahon Banagher United, Caoimhe McHugh RFA Swans, Kelly Lynam Temple Villa, Holly Greenan Clara Fc, Ciara Hillard St Aengus,Moya Kilmartin RFA Swans, Rachel Lambe Tullamore Town, Laurie Finnegan RFA Swans, Rachel Lyons Birr Town, Ruby Kelly Bellanamullia LFC, Isabel Mooney Killeagh Fc, Keela Doran RFA Swans, Isabel Mockler Hodson Bay, Isabelle McDonnell RFA Swans, Mikaela Greene Temple Villa, Anna Phillps Bellanamullia LFC.

Manager: Henry Hillard 

Coaches Ronan Greenan, Martin McHugh, Conor Kelly, 

Physio Brian McMahon, 

Kit Colin Rattray,

League Rep Derek Collins.