On the Line

Saturday, 10 June 2023

Limerick Day 2 Review Gaynor Cup

ACTION at the Gaynor Cup U14 inter-league schoolgirl soccer tournament at UL continues today, Wednesday.

The group stage fixtures were completed on Tuesday evening with fixtures today part of the Gaynor Cup knock-out, Gaynor Bowl, Shield Shield and Gaynor Trophy competitions.

In today's fixtures for the local sides, Limerick District will take on South Tipperary in the Gaynor Bowl at UL at 5pm.

Meanwhile, in the Gaynor Shield, Limerick County take on Donegal at 3pm while, at the same time, Limerick Desmond face the Wexford League.

Round-up of Tuesday evening's games at UL:

Group 2:

Limerick Desmond 2, Galway League 4;

It wasn't to be for Limerick Desmond in their final Group 2 Gaynor Cup fixture on Tuesday evening as they came out on the wrong side of another great game.

The opening quarter of this encounter produced some very good football from both sides. It was Galway that netted first goal through A McGough. Within a minute though Desmond had equalised through a great effort from Annabel Mulcaire-Quill, of Ballingarry AFC.

The second half turned into a goal-fest as Galway went two goals up inside four minutes through A Conway and then K Barrett.

The Limerick side then played their way back into the match and deservedly narrowed the gap when Emma O'Connor, of Ballingarry AFC, buried an effort into the back of the net

The home side kept pushing forward, but couldn't manage to reduce the deficit.

In the final attack of the game it was Galway who made sure of victory with a fourth goal from H Conboy.

This result means Desmond's finished in third spot in their group and so compete in the Gaynor Shield.

Limerick Desmond Gaynor Cup Squad:

Beanne Larkin, St. Itas; Sadhbh Cahill, Glantine FC; Kate O'Gorman, Newcastle West Town FC; Keelin Carr, Newcastle West Town FC; Emma O'Connor, Ballingarry AFC; Jessie Meade, Shannonside FC; Kianna Browne, Dromore Utd; Isabella Fitzgerald, Breska Rovers; Sarah Carroll, Dromore Utd; Rachel Walsh, Ballingarry AFC; Aisling O'Brien, Broadford Utd; Amy Gleeson, Newcastle West Town FC; Abi Fitzgibbon, Shannonside FC; Aoife O'Sullivan, Ballingarry AFC; Eleanor Blake, Ballingarry AFC, Annabel Mulcaire-Quill, Ballingarry AFC; Rebecca Carey, Ballingarry AFC; Eva Power, Shannonside FC; Jade Coffey, Newcastle West Town FC; Isabelle Conway, Broadford Utd.

Group 3:

Wexford League 1, Limerick District 2

Limerick District produced some great football in the first half of this Group 3 tie as they pushed forward from the opening whistle.

Just before the water break, Demmie Galvin Smalle, of Summerville Rovers, broke down the wing before finding Eva Loftus of Aisling Annacotty who finished superbly into back of the net.

After the break, the District side kept pushing forward and on the stroke of half-time Madison McGuane, from Pike Rovers, doubled her side's lead with a neat finish.

In the opening stages of the second half the side from the southeast started to gain control of the game. Within ten minutes of the restart, striker E Goggin broke through to half the deficit between the sides at 2-1.

Wexford kept pushing forward but some heroic defending from Limerick District kept them at bay.

After the water break the home side wrestled back control and finished the game off as well deserving winners.

This result saw Limerick District finish second in the table.

Limerick District Gaynor Cup squad:

Kayla Downes Lynch, Carew Park; Demmie Galvin Smalle, Summerville Rovers; Lauren Cusack, Aisling Annacotty; Alexandra Sheehy, Fairview Rangers; Mya Moloney, Fairview Rangers; Ellen Goggin, Regional United; Eva Loftus, Aisling Annacotty; Leah Hannon, Fairview Rangers; Aoife Grant, Pike Rovers; Madison McGuane, Pike Rovers; Grace Geary, Shelbourne AFC; Mya Bermingham, Moyross United; Orlaith O'Connell, Corbally United; Kelsey O'Donovan, Pike Rovers; Kelsey O'Shea, Carew Park; Eden Waters, Aisling Annacotty; Lucy Casey, Fairview Rangers; Sophie Begley, Pike Rovers; Tori Byrne-Lynch, Carew Park; Eibhin Butler, Corbally United.

Group 4:

Limerick County 0 NECSL 0;

THE Limerick County side were the last home team to play kicking off their round three tie at tea time on Tuesday.

They had the opportunity, depending on results, to finish second in the Group 4 table

From the outset it was evident that this tie was going to be close as both sides battled from the start to gain momentum.

It was NECSL who tried to break though the home side's defense but led by Holly Dawson, of Kilfrush Crusaders, they held out strongly. At the other end, the County team couldn't quite manage to find the breakthrough leaving the game tied 0-0 at the interval.

The second half was almost a carbon copy of the opening period as both sides had opportunities to win the game but try as they might, neither team could get that elusive goal to win the tie.

This draw left the Limerick side third in their table after the final round of group games and playing in the Gaynor Shield competition.

Limerick County Gaynor Cup Squad:

Meghan Clifford - Aisling Annacotty; Katie Leahy - Aisling Annacotty; Emma Robertson - Aisling Annacotty; Faye Ronan (Captain) - Charleville; Niamh Walsh - Charleville; Roisin Walsh - Charleville; Isabelle Barrett - Charleville; Alex Foley - Charleville; Leah Ryan - Charleville; Aoife Frawley - Herbertstown; Jennifer Hogan - Holycross; Caoimhe O'Connor - Kilfrush Crusaders; Laoise Keogh - Kilfrush Crusaders; Holly Dawson - Kilfrush Crusaders; Amy O'Neill - Kilfrush Crusaders; Emma Murnane - Kilmallock; Alice Moran - Mungret Regional; Ellen Hackett (Vice captain) - Murroe; April Keane - Regional United; Aoibhe Dempsey - Regional United.

https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/limerick-sport/1189084/day-3-action-continues-for-three-limerick-sides-for-gaynor-cup-at-ul.html

Monday, 5 June 2023

FAI Day 1 Review

Gaynor Cup Review Day 1

Monday the 5^th of June saw the opening round of this year’s Gaynor Cup take place in Limerick. History was made with three different teams from the home county being represented for the first time ever.

With seven groups in the competition fixtures were taking place at 4 o’ clock and again at 6 allowing people to attended more than one game.

Group 1

This group looks like its going to be one of the tougher ones after day one. First up it was Midlands vs Kilkenny. It was the midland side that took the spoils in this tie with a goal in either half from N Trainor and C Brett.

The second game was a much tighter affair between two Ulster sides as Donegal and Cavan/ Monaghan shared the spoils in was a tough encounter . Donegal’s goals came from E Nelis and S Doherty. While the opposition goals came from K Burns Sullivan and M Treanor in injury to time to level the tie after E Bateson had been sent off the Cavan / Monaghan.

Group 2

It looks highly unlikely that anyone is going to beat Galway in this groups after they fired twelve goals passed Inishowen with K Barrett netting a hat trick for his side.

The other tie saw North Tipperary over come one of the three Limerick sides by four goals meaning both sides that won will have a big goal difference going into the next two rounds tomorrow.

Group 3

Its two teams from the southeast corner of the country that top this group after the opening round of games.

Wexford overcame Mayo by three goals with N White and R Murdiff firing in two goals in the opening half before E. Goggin ensured victory for her side.

The other game in the saw Carlow overcome the Limerick district side in a six goal thriller . It was the C Milton show for Carlow as her hat trick kept Limerick at bay during the making sure of victory for her side.

Group 4

The opening game in this groups was an all Munster affair between Waterford and the Limerick County side. It was the visitors who took the win in this tie with goals two goals from L Roche either side of half time along with H Kirby and an unfortunate own goal.

The other game in the was another slightly one sided affair as NECSL put five goals past Clare with striker L Burke firing in two great efforts for her side.

Group 5

This group looks like it could be two Connacht sides that will come out on top.

Sligo Leitrim managed to put four goals past Kildare in the opening game in the group.. It was the A Hannigan Gray show as she netted either side of the half time whistle along with two other goals make sure her side topped the group after the opening day.

The other Connacht side in the groups overcame Kerry by two goals as centre back E Diskin managed to find the net twice in the tie to clinch victory for her side.

Group 6

A hat trick from R Loughran saw the Dublin side overcome a valiant effort from the south Tipperary girls in this opening round tie.

Group 7

It was the North Dublin side who triumphed against another Munster team this time Cork. An early goal within twelve minutes set the tone with C O’ Donohue netting before C Smith made sure of the victory with the final play of the game.

Limerick Review Day 1 Gaynor Cup

Limerick Teams day 1 Gaynor Cup Review

For the first time ever three different teams represented Limerick in the Gaynor Cup on the bank holiday Monday.

Two of the Limerick sides kicked off at 4 o’ clock with the other getting to kick off at teatime in UL.

Limerick Desmond’s 0

North Tipperary 4

The first Limerick side to take the field were the Desmond’s who played local rivals North Tipperary in groups two of the competition. It was the visitors who took early control of this tie as M O’ Shea found the back of the west Limerick sides net inside ten minutes. Tipp kept the pressure on from the goal. This pressure led to the awarding of a penalty inside twenty minutes which was duly converted by M Kirwan. In the final ten minutes of the half both sides created chances but couldn’t trouble either goalkeeper enough .

The second half was much the same as Tipp pushed forward but a strong performance from the Limerick rear-guard kept them at bay for the majority of the half. This was until the final few moments as Tipp broke away to fire two more gaols in at the final whistle.

Limerick District 2

Carlow 4

The Limerick District side kicked off at the same time against Carlow. It was the southeast side who managed to take control of the tie early on with two goals inside the first ten minutes. The first coming from E Bolger before C. Milton doubled her sides lead minutes later. Limericks response was swift with A Sheedy narrowing the gap within 4 minutes. This was how the score was at half time.

After a well deserved break it was Carlow who kept pushing forward at every opportunity . Halfway through the half Milton manged to extend her sides lead again. In almost a carbon copy of the first half Limerick response was immediate as M McGuane buried a shot into the net. The home side pushed forward looking for an equaliser but with almost the last of attack of the game Milton finished off her hat trick to ensure victory for her side .

The Limerick County side were last up on the opening day as they faced Munster rivals Waterford. 0-4

As the sun was going down both sides produced a great opening half of football with tackles flying in on both sides . As the half drew to a close it was hard to see a breakthrough coming. This changed with two minutes left as H Dawson unfortunately put the ball into her own goal. With the final play of the game Waterford doubled their lead through L Roche.

The second half was much the same as both sides battled hard in the middle third but couldn’t make any major inroads into the defence. With five minutes left the game H Kirby extended her sides advantage. With the final play of normal time L Roche finished expertly to ensure the win for her side.

Limerick District Gaynor Cup squad:

Management: Joe Flanagan, manager; Jeffrey O'Donnell, coach; Nicole Nix, Goalkeeping coach.

Limerick County Gaynor Cup Squad:

Management team

Rory O'Connor - Manager

Brigid Daly - Coach/ first aid

Chantal Samson - Kit/ photographer

Limerick Desmond Gaynor Cup Squad:

Management team:

Mike Boyle, Ballingarry AFC

Joan Croke, Broadford Utd

PJ Hogan, Creeves Celtic

Caitrin Dé Bhál, Newcastle West Town FC

Dave Slattery, Summerville

https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/sport/1187875/limerick-sides-set-for-day-2-of-gaynor-cup-at-ul-after-monday-s-opening-fixtures.html

Sligo Leitrim vs Kildare Gaynor Cup Rd 1

Sligo Leitrim 4

Kildare 0

Eoin Horkan

Kildare opened there Gaynor Cup account with a tie against Sligo Leitrim it wasn’t to be for the Leinster side as they were beaten by four goals.

Sligo-Leitrim took the lead after just two minutes thanks to Amber Gray Harrigan. Right back Eibhlin Guckian played a lovely pass down the line to Natasha Kelly, who crossed, and Amber Gray Harrigan reacted fast to beat the goalkeeper.

Kiladre kicked into gear after the earl set back but couldn’t get through the resolute opposition defence as the game headed towards the water break. On the 20th minute, Ava Hallinan came off the bench and scored within two minutes by chasing down a through pass, switching to her left, and finishing. At halftime, the score remained 2-0.

Five minutes into the second half it was Harrigan who added a second goal with a long shot from the left that sailed over the goalkeeper. On the 28th minute, Natasha Kelly scored the game-winning goal to make the score 4-0 after an exquisite Ava Hallinan corner.

Kildare have two games left to play in the groups tomorrow against Roscommon and Kerry.

Sligo Leitrim-: E Keenan, E Gilmartin, E Guckian, G Devaney, A Gerrity, T Flynn, A O’ Donohue, N Kelly, A Gray Hannigan, T Howard, M Lowe.

Kildare; C Donnelly, S MacNamee, N Byrne, G Walsh, A Wall, J Rust, C Butler, K Wynne, S Poole (C), E Killian, C Sweeney

Referee ( Pat King)

Mayo vs Wexford Gaynor Cup

U14 Gaynor Cup Rd 1

Mayo 0

Wexford 3 ( K White 8, R Murdiff 28, E Goggin 44)

Eoin Horkan

UL.

Mayo’s Gaynor Cup team were beaten by three goals against Wexford in the opening groups game on Monday evening.

Mayo's Gaynor Cup campaign began today as they lost 3-0 against a well-prepared Wexford team at University Limerick. Wexford created their first chance in the second minute and took the lead eight minutes later.

It was Wexford who pushed forward from the start of the game going ahead inside ten minutes when N White buried the ball into the back of the net. Mayo’s response was immediate, in the eleventh minute, Emily Coleman worked the Wexford goalkeeper, and a few minutes later, Ciara Kearney narrowly missed receiving her exquisite through ball. The subsequent free kick by Kearney was wide.

Wexfords stated to gain control again of the tie after the flurry of Mayo chances. Just after the first water break, Mayo goalkeeper Sarah Gallagher produced two outstanding stops, and Riona Moynihan was extremely unlucky to have her shot across goal narrowly miss the far post.

On the verge of halftime, Wexford extended their advantage through R Murdiff. It was Mayo who had the final chance to score when Moynihan's superb cross from the left missed everyone on the goal line.

Minutes after the interval Mayo started to push forward again this resulted in a fantastic corner from Sophie O'Donnell which was cleared off the line early in the second half before Caoimhe O'Donnell's follow-up suffered the same fate minutes later .After O'Donnell's well-aimed attempt was saved, Wexford scored their third goal through E Goggin. to ensure the victory after 43 minutes.

Wexford were a little bit more methodical that day, but this young Mayo team can learn a lot from their performance. All but one of the 20-member squad played in the intense heat and given that there are still two group games to play tomorrow, this pattern may possibly continue.

Mayo; S Gallagher, M Curran, A Glavey, R Moynihan, S O’Donnell, A Doherty, M Lavelle, C Kearney, C Breslin, L Tiernan, E Coleman.

Wexford; E Moran, A Clarke, L Kehoe, P Gainfort, K Ryan, R Murdiff, K Tomkins, N White, L McCormack, G Waugh, E McEldowney.

Referee ( Ryan Jay O’ Loughlin)

Tuesday, 23 May 2023

U16 Girls Cup WP

U16 Girls Cup

Mayo 2

Kerry 1

Evergreen Park Kilkenny

Eoin Horkan

It was Mayo’s day in Kilkenny on Saturday afternoon as they managed to bring home the All Ireland U16 trophy, beating Kerry by a solitary goal.

Despite a number of Mayo girls having played for the county Gaelic football team the night before, this didn’t stop them flying out of the blocks from the start of the game. Within five minutes of the kick off, Mayo had opened the scoring through Kayla Doherty, as she finished well into the corner after some great build up play in the middle from Muireann Nolan and Maura Hughes. The Westerners kept the pressure on the Kerry goal with the forward contingent of Ashleagh Salmon and Kate Brennan producing some fine efforts but Lucy O’ Connor kept her side in the game with some excellent saves.

It wasn’t until the twentieth minute of the tie that Kerry launched a meaningful attack as they burst down the wing. After some good defending, the ball fell to Maeve Courtney, whose effort flew into the net to level the tie. This slight reprieve didn’t affect the Mayo girls as within five minutes they had taken the lead again. It was Doherty this time who provided the assist from a corner, before Isobel Phillips finished neatly into the net. The rest of the half belonged to Mayo with Brennan Hughes and Christine McEvilly having chances, but they couldn’t extend the one goal lead before half time.

The second half was a much tighter affair, as Kerry seemed to have got to grips with Mayo’s tactics. The first notable effort of the half came from Phoebe O’ Shea ten minutes in. Her effort narrowly missed the target. Kerry was getting the better of the chances but the Mayo defensive unit, led by Heaney in goal, were staying strong. Both sides started to empty their bench. This led to a stalemate in the middle of the park –no team could gain complete control of the ball.. It was Mayo who closed out the game for a win when Doherty brought the ball into the corner and it took three players to disposess her at the end of the tie.

Mayo; Sarah Heaney, Isobel Phillips, Emma Walsh, Emily Jennings, Rebecca Moran, Muireann Nolan, Maura Hughes, Kayla Doherty, Ashleagh Salmon, Kate Brennan, Christina McEvilly. Subs Used; Alyssa Murphy for (Walsh 47) Helen Murray for (Hughes 68), Róisín Horkan, for (McEvilly 60) Blaithín Brennan for ( Salmon 55)

Kerry; Lucy O’ Connor, Sarah Warren, Amber Macindoe, Hannah Nic Gerailt, Liadh Forde, Clodagh Moriarty, Hannah Casey, Kate Foster, Kate Forde, Phoebe O’ Shea, Maeve Courtney. Subs Used; Jacinta Griffin for ( Casey 68), Anna Roberts for ( Moriarty 72) , Abbie Finnan for ( O’ Shea 73)

U16 Girls Cup MN

U16 Girls Cup

Mayo 2

K Doherty (5), I Phillips (25)

Kerry 1 M Courtney (20)

Evergreen Park Kilkenny

Eoin Horkan

On Saturday afternoon in Kilkenny, it was Mayo's day as they defeated Kerry by a single goal to win the All Ireland U16 trophy.

Even though several Mayo girls had participated in the county Gaelic football team the previous evening, this didn't stop them from attacking with energy from the starting whistle. After a superb build-up play in the middle from Muireann Nolan and Maura Hughes, Mayo scored the game's first goal through Kayla Doherty, five minutes after the game began. Ashleagh Salmon and Kate Brennan, two of the Westerners' forwards, continued to apply pressure to Kerry's goal, but Lucy O'Connor was keeping her in check.

The first significant Kerry attack didn't come until the 20th minute of the match. Kerry broke down the flank, and after some solid Kerry defence, the ball fell to Maeve Courtney, whose shot soared into the goal to draw the game. The Mayo girls were unaffected by this brief respite. They regained the lead after five minutes. This time, Doherty assisted from a corner before Isobel Phillips skilfully finished into the goal. Brennan Hughes and Christine McEvilly both had opportunities to expand Mayo's one-goal advantage before halftime, but they were unable to do so. Mayo dominated the remainder of the half.

As Kerry appeared to have mastered Mayo's strategies, the second half was considerably closer. Phoebe O'Shea made the first noteworthy attempt of the half ten minutes in, but her strike just missed the goal. Kerry was having more success attacking , but Heaney in goal and the Mayo defence were holding firm. The centre of the park came to a standstill when both sides began emptying their respective benches. The game ended when Doherty brought the ball into the corner and it took three players to get the ball off her at the end of the match. Mayo was the one to seal the victory.

Mayo; Sarah Heaney, Isobel Phillips, Emma Walsh, Emily Jennings, Rebecca Moran, Muireann Nolan, Maura Hughes, Kayla Doherty, Ashleagh Salmon, Kate Brennan, Christina McEvilly.

Subs Used; Helen Murray, Róisín Horkan, Blaithín Brennan.

Kerry; Lucy O’ Connor, Sarah Warren, Amber Macindoe, Hannah Nic Gerailt, Liadh Forde, Clodagh Moriarty, Hannah Casey, Kate Foster, Kate Forde, Phoebe O’ Shea, Maeve Courtney.

Subs Used, Jacinta Griffin, Anna Roberts, Abbie Finnan

Referee Kevin O’ Neill

U16 Girls Bowl

Limerick County 3

Midlands SL 1

Evergreen Park Kilkenny

Eoin Horkan

Limericks U16 girls came away with the bowl beating Midlands by two goals on Sunday morning in Kilkenny.

From the opening whistle the Limerick girls took control of the tie with Olivia McCarthy and Thea O’ Brien . It was McCarthy whose early effort for her side flew over the bar. Midlands broke forward against the run of play Ava Shine but her cross couldn’t be finished into the net. This was a slight reprieve as Limerick pushed forward again but in almost a carbon copy of the opposition cross no one could get on the end of Jayne Ryan sumptuous cross. With twelve minutes left in the half Limerick won a free out wide., it was O’ Brien who stepped forward to angle an effort into the corner. Giving her side a deserved lead.

This scare kicked the opposition into gear as they managed to goal efforts that were well saved by Afton Purtill in the goal. With the game edging towards the break Jayne Ryan suddenly burst into action collecting a through ball from Zoe Reeves Wasik to finish into the net. Moments later Ryan went on a solo run to give her side a three goal lead at the interval.

The second half was much the same for the westeners as they pushed forward at every opportunity. They created three chances within ten minutes but couldn’t extend there lead as Abi Swift and her defence stood strong at every opportunity. After this patch it was the Midland side that started to control the tie up until the final whistle. They created a fantastic chance but Adeline Bowen volleyed effort flew over the bar.

The last ten minutes of the tie belonged to the Midlands as they pushed forward to et back into this final. With a minute to go this pressure finally paid off as Hannah Hogan struck an effort in the net from the edge of the box. This consolation goal was well deserved for the side even if though it came at such a late stage.

Limerick County; Afton Purtill, Rachel Widger, Chloe Enright, Nicola Martin, Ciara Donarumma, Olivia McCarthy, Orlaith Purcell, Thea O’ Brien, Freya Wiegand, Zoe Reeves Wasik, Jayne Ryan.

Subs Used: Aoibhe Gardner, Aoibheann McNamara, Emma Sweeney, Katie Keogh, Lauren McNamara, Méabh Leahy, Shauna Dempsey.

Midlands SL; Abi Swift, Holly Murphy, Kayla Lawlor, Emily Flynn, , Devine Samuel Emma Francis, Hannah Hogan, Ella Cuskelly, Aimee Coffey, Laia Urresola, Ava Shine.

Subs Used, Karissa Burns, Adeline Bowen, Sally Morgan , Leah Brennan, Aoife Ross, Lauren Byrne.

Referee Darren Keating

U15 Girls Shield WP

U15 Girls Shield

Mayo 0

Carlow 1

Evergreen Park Kilkenny

Eoin Horkan

The final Mayo girls' team to play on Saturday was unfortunate to lose to Carlow on Saturday night in Kilkenny by a single goal.

The home team got out to a stronger start with an early attempt from Mollie Cowman that flew past the crossbar. As the half went on, Mayo then began to exert their control. The first shot fired in rage was a long rang free from Aine Monaghan. Later, a long forward ball troubled the Carlow defence, but Roisin Murphy magnificently cleared the ball out of harm's way. As Mayo advanced, Carlow's defence remained solid.

Carlow began to take greater control about the midpoint of the first half and against the flow of play, particularly through Mia Branagan but Aoife Meaney in the Mayo goal made a good stop on her opening shot. Her subsequent attempt, this time from thirty yards out, eluded Meanaey's grasp and found the back of the net to give Carlow the lead just before halftime.

After the break, the game became much more competitive as both teams had more opportunities to score. Carlow's Alice Hickey controlled the ball before shooting her attempt wide of the goal post. When Mayo started to remove players from the bench, Cliodhna Dowling's header from a corner went over the bar nearly immediately. After a brilliant solo run through the defence a few minutes later, Dowling again created a chance, but this time her goal-bound shot just missed the post. This was the westerners' final significant shot at the goal. The final two shots of the game were made by the opposition by Cowman , and substitute Ashely Smith , but Meaney remained firm in the Mayo goal.

Mayo; Aoife Meaney, Mary Moran, Cara Culkin, Áine Monaghan, Kate Byrne, Sadhbh O’Donnell, Emma Higgins, Aoife Collins, Ursula Shaughnessy, Mary Ann Ward, Alana Kelly.

Subs Used; Ruby Jennings, Cliodhna Dowling Aoibhin McGarry

Carlow; Amy Farrell, Ellen Barrett, Abbey O’Shea, Emily Kelly, Roisin Murphy, Mia Branagan, Sarah Devine, Summer Doorley, Kate Burke, Mollie Cowman, Alice Hickey

Subs Used; Ashley Smith, Katie O’ Reilly, Mai Craddock

Referee Dean Toner

U15 Girls Shield MN

U15 Girls Shield

Mayo 0

Carlow 1 ( M Branagan 29)

Evergreen Park Kilkenny

Eoin Horkan

The final Mayo girls’ team to play on Saturday were unlucky to beaten by Carlow by a solitary goal on Saturday evening in Kilkenny.

It was the local side who started the stronger with an early effort from Mollie Cowman flying over the crossbar. Mayo then started to assert their dominance as the half went on . There first shot in anger came from an Áine Monaghan long rang free. Moments later a long ball forward caused trouble in the Carlow defence but Roisin Murphy cleared the ball expertly out of danger. Carlow’s defence was standing strong as Mayo pushed forward.

Halfway through the half and against the run of play Carlow started to gain more control especially through Mia Branagan . Her first effort on goal was well save by Aoife Meaney in the Mayo goal. Her next effort from thirty yards evaded the hands of Meanaey to finish in the back of the net to give Carlow the lead on the stroke of half time.

After the interval the tie became much more open with both sides creating chances with Carlow’s Alice Hickey controlling the ball before drilling her effort wide of the post. Mayo began to empty their bench this caused an almost immediate impact when Cliodhna Dowling header from a corner flew over the bar. Minutes later it was Dowling again who created a chance after a fantastic solo run through the defence her goal bound effort narrowly skimmed the post. This was the westerners last meaningful attempt on goal. The opposition produced the final two effort of the game from Cowman and Ashley Smith but Meaney stood resolute in the Mayo net.

Mayo; Aoife Meaney, Mary Moran, Cara Culkin, Áine Monaghan, Kate Byrne, Sadhbh O’Donnell, Emma Higgins, Aoife Collins, Ursula Shaughnessy, Mary Ann Ward, Alana Kelly.

Subs Used; Ruby Jennings, Cliodhna Dowling Aoibhin McGarry

Carlow; Amy Farrell, Ellen Barrett, Abbey O’Shea, Emily Kelly, Roisin Murphy, Mia Branagan, Sarah Devine, Summer Doorley, Kate Burke, Mollie Cowman, Alice Hickey

Subs Used; Ashley Smith, Katie O’ Reilly, Mai Craddock.

Referee Dean Toner

U13 Girls Bowl WP

U13 Girls Bowl

MGL South 3

Mayo 0

Evergreen Park Kilkenny

Eoin Horkan

The Mayo u13 ladies tried their hardest to defeat MGL from Dublin on Saturday night, but they were unsuccessful.

The deadly attacker Matilda Stelmaszek's first opportunity of the game came five minutes in, but Ava Mitchell in the Mayo goal made a fine stop. From the first whistle, the Dublin team grabbed control of this match. It was up to Emily Connolly who surged forward for the girls in red against the flow of the game, but her goal-bound shot missed the target. This respite did not deter the Dublin team, as Sive Flanagan successfully stopped Zara Behan's attempt.

Mitchell and Stelmaszek engaged in mini battle for the remainder of the half. Mitchell was leading this battle with two fantastic saves, but Stelmaszek eventually broke the deadlock as Mitchell came out of her goal she was beaten with a controlled lob. Stelmaszek extended her team's advantage just two minutes later with a composed attempt from the edge of the area. Stelmaszek came close to completing her hat-trick with a few minutes remaining in the half, but her shot cannoned against the crossbar and left the score her side two up at the break.

As both young teams grew weary and the Mayo midfield began to compete for control, the game became considerably tighter in the second half. This parity temporarily halted the MGL attack. Even with this control very time Stelmaszek collected the ball, she continued to cause chaos, but Mitchell always maintained her composure. As both teams cleared their benches, Mayo created their last chance when Connolly's single run from the middle of the pitch resulted in a shot that was expertly blocked. Jessie O'Reilly of MGL was given a penalty with two minutes remaining in the match after moving quickly in the box. Stelmaszek stepped forward to finish her hat trick and give her team the advantage.

MGL South; Olivia Kenny, Ava Kelly, Eimear Byrne, Ginevra Data, Ruby Boland, Zara Behan, Lara Dallaghan, Matilda Stelmaszek, Ailbhe White.

Subs Used: Katie Anderson, Keeva O’ Reilly, Robyn Collins, Emma Flannery, , Sienna Boucher.

Mayo: Ava Mitchell, Beth Murphy, Katie Flynn, Saoirse McGing, Sive Flanagan, Grace Mulroy, Kayla Kelly, Rachel McGrath, Emily Coleman.

Subs Used: Caoimhe O’ Donnell, Anna Burton, Anna Meaney, Lucy McDermott.

U13 Boys Trophy Wicklow

U13 Boys Trophy

Wicklow 2

Longford 4

Evergreen Park Kilkenny

Eoin Horkan

A strong second half comeback was enough to see Longford bring the U13 trophy back west from Kilkenny Sunday evening.

It was Longford who started this game at a lightning pace as from the opening kick-off midfielder Mia Murtagh attempted to lob the Wicklow goalkeeper but Lucy Doyle collected the ball over her head. Minutes later Adam Kinlon tested Doyle again but the Wicklow net minder stood strong to keep out the goal bound effort. It was against the run of play that Wicklow opened the scoring as Sam Conyard broke forward down the left before laying the ball back to his twin brother Kale who curled an effort into the top corner inside ten minutes. Wicklow piled on the pressure after this with the Conyards controlling the middle of the park. This control led to there second goal when striker David McCormac broke away and was awarded a penalty which he converted himself to double his sided lead.

It was all Wicklow after the second goal as ten minutes later they had the ball in the net again but James McBride’s effort was ruled out for offside. The last chance of the for his side fell to Sam Conyard who tried to replicate his twin’s goal , unfortunately his effort narrowly missed the far post. With the last attack of the half the opposition broke away through Alvin Kontoh who fired an effort against the post from an acute angle.

The half time interval didn’t stop Wicklow as within minutes of the resumption they had netted again only for the flag to be raised for a second time. Longford were holding the opposition at bay barely resulting in plenty of corners. One of these corners landed on the head of Cillian Maher whose effort flew over the bar. As the opponents started to empty the bench one of them made an immediate impact winning an penalty which was converted by Mia Murtagh. With the next play Tim Kenny controlled the ball well on the edge of the box before laying in off to Oisin Kiernan to finish into the corner to level the tie halfway through the half.

The team from the west had hit their purple patch and this didn’t let up as five minutes later they had taken the lead after some great work by Kinlon and a fantastic save by Doyle this wasn’t enough as Kontoh gave his side the lead. As Wicklow pushed forward to search for the equaliser they couldn’t break through a resolute Longford rear-guard and with three minutes left Oisin Dillon broke away on the counterattack to finish off the tie with an expert finish.

Wicklow; 20 Lucy Doyle F, 2 Shane Doyle, 3 Tristan Fogarty, 4 Cillian Maher, 5 Rhys Behan, 14 Samuel Moraghan, 7 Sam Conyard, 8 Kale Conyard, 9 David McCormac, 10 Failim Redmond, 11 Cian Murphy.

Subs Used; 17 James McBride, 16 Zach Cavanagh, 18 Alex Murphy, 13 Tiernan Shorthall

Longford; 1 Thomas Reilly, Tim Kenny, 14 Kamdi Aguneche, 3 Owen Kenny, 5 Alfie Murphy, 6 Kacper Slezak, 7 Ryan Kenny, 8 Mia Murtagh, 9 Oisin Dillon, 10 Adam Kinlon, 16 Alvin Kontoh.

Subs Used; 11 Oisin Kiernan, 15 Oliver Brychy, 2 Kian Treacy, 4 Daire Kilmurray, 20 Cormac Regan, 13 MJ Mifya.

Referee: Noel Connolly.

https://www.independent.ie/regionals/wicklow/sport/soccer/bright-start-fades-for-wicklow-under-13s-in-sfai-final/a2099723765.html