Limerick sides impress in second series of Gaynor Cup group fixtures at UL

THE three Limerick sides competing in this week's Gaynor Cup U14 interleague schoolgirl soccer tournament at UL recorded two wins and a draw in Tuesday morning's second series of fixtures.

Group 3: 

Limerick District 4, Mayo League 3; 

WHAT a game to open the second day of the Gaynor Cup tournament as the home side, Limerick District came out on top in a seven-goal thriller, 4-3.

It was the home side who fired the first shot in this game which resulted in an early goal from Eva Loftus, of Aisling Annacotty. The opposition response was immediate, however, as they drew level within five minutes at 1-1.

After this opening flurry, the home side started to gain control again, scoring two more goals in the half. The first coming from Loftus, her second of the game, before Leah Hannon, of Fairview Rangers, doubled her side's lead just before the break at 3-1.

It was the opposition who flew out of the blocks in the second half narrowing the gap again to 3-2.

The game was now becoming frenetic up until the impressive Loftus completed her hat-trick midway through the half. With ten minutes to go, Mayo pressed forward but only managed to narrow the gap to one goal, which left the home side deserving 4-3 winners.

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 2:

Inishowen 2, Limerick Desmond 3

At the same time, District were recording their exciting win, the Desmond League were involved in another fantastic encounter, this time a five-goal goal thriller, which they edged 3-2.

Limerick Desmond produced a magnificent first half display of football controlling the game from the outset. This control resulted in a 2-0 lead at the break with goals from Emma O'Connor, of Ballingarry AFC, and her clubmate Eleanor Blake just before the half-time whistle.

Moments after the break it was Blake who fired in her own second and her side's third goal as they looked in complete control of the tie.

The Donegal side had other ideas though as they wrestled back control of the tie narrowing the gap to just one goal when netting two goals from O Ward and M Doherty. This wasn't enough as the home side held out for victory, however.

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 4: 

Limerick County 1, Clare 1

THIS second round Mid-West derby game kicked off at midday on Tuesday at UL.

The first half of this group game was a tight tense affair with both sides battling it out to gain control. The teams created chances, but nothing to trouble either netminder.

That was until Clare broke away with nearly the final play of the half to open the scoring through A Adelu.

Within ten minutes of the restart, however, the home side leveled the game with an expertly taken goal from captain Faye Ronan, of Charleville.

Both sides tried to push forward but couldn't force a winner before the end of the game. However, neither side managed to find the net again and it finished honours even, 1-1.

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