Two Limerick wins in opening series of Gaynor Cup group fixtures at UL

THERE were wins for the Limerick District and Limerick Desmond Leagues in the opening series of fixtures at the 2025 Gaynor Cup U14 interleague competition at UL on Bank Holiday Monday.

Two of the Limerick leagues sides competing, Limerick District and Limerick Desmond, are both in Group 2 of the Gaynor Cup.

Limerick District opened their campaign with an excellent 2-0 victory over the Galway League on Monday afternoon. Rhiann Nolan, of Pike Rovers, and Zoe McNamara, of Caherdavin Celtic, scored the goals for the District League.

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District continue their group games today, Tuesday, when taking on the Longford League at UL at 10am, before facing local rivals Limerick Desmond in their final group fixture at 4pm.

Limerick Desmond began their Gaynor Cup campaign with a narrow 1-0 defeat to the Longford League on Monday afternoon.

Desmond face Galway in their second round robin fixture in Group 2 on Tuesday morning at 10am, before completing their group fixtures in that derby clash with Limerick District. 

The Limerick County League made a winning start in Group 7 of this week's Gaynor Cup when defeating Sligo-Leitrim 2-0 on Monday evening. The County goals were scored by Clodagh Hourigan and Roisin Farrell.

Limerick County are back in action this Tuesday at UL when taking on the Waterford League at 12noon, before meeting Lisburn Castlereagh in their final group stage fixture at 6pm on Tuesday evening.

This year's Gaynor Cup features six groups of four teams and one three-team group, giving a total of 27 league teams competing. The second round of group fixtures will take place at 10am and 12noon on Tuesday, June 3 with third-round fixtures being staged at 4pm and 6pm on Tuesday.

Structured with group stages and a series of finals, including the Cup, Plate, Bowl, Shield, and Trophy, the five-day tournament showcases emerging female football talent and has become a recognised pathway to playing professionally.

UL has hosted the Gaynor Cup since its inception in 2013.

LIMERICK DISTRICT GAYNOR CUP U14 SQUAD:

Zoe McNamara – Caherdavin Celtic; Annie McKeon – Corbally; Lily Rose Noonan, Ella McNamara, Pippa O’Donoghue – Granville; Sarah Hayes – Lisnagry; Sadbh Donnelly, Grace Whelton, Mia McLoughlin, Chloe Kate Buckley – Newport Town; Sophie Begley, Anna Meaney, Lexi Nolan, Rhiann Nolan – Pike Rovers; Chloe Hannon – Regional Utd; Kate Daly, Aoife Ryan, Grace Geary, Paige Morgan, Aoife Grant – Shelbourne; Coaches – Donal Magee, Fergus McGrath, Niall Hogan and Emma Dillane.

LIMERICK DESMOND GAYNOR CUP U14 SQUAD:

Katie English (Newcastle West Town FC), Mandy McNamara (Newcastle West Town FC), Elise Vang (Ballingarry AFC), Muireann Quaid (Ballingarry AFC), Chloe Youta (Newcastle West Town AFC), Ciara Loftus (Bresca Rovers AFC), Honor Mulvihill (GB Rovers), Grace Doyle (Newcastle West Town AFC0, Jean O'Kane (Ballingarry AFC), Emma Horgan (Newcastle West Town AFC), Anna O'Grady (Ballingarry AFC), Clare O'Shea (Dromore Utc), Leah Meehan (Newcastle West Town FC), Amy O'Kelly (Broadford United AFC), Neasa Reidy (Newcastle West Town FC), Katelyn Foley (Bresca Rovers FC), Aoife Higgins (Dromore United),  Caoimhe Quaid (Broadford United AFC), Soniya Vijandran (Bresca Rovers AFC), Rachel Doyle (Newcastle West Town FC).

LIMERICK COUNTY GAYNOR CUP U14 SQUAD

Emily Galvin, Kayla Tyrell, Meadbh Conneely, Ciara McCarthy, Emily Leahy, Clodagh Hourigan, Steffi O’Toole, Keelin Williams, Ciara Bresnan, Chloe Costelloe, Jane Frawley, Roisin Farrell, Lexi Downing, Caoimhe Buckley, Danielle Mulcahy, Abbey Quinn, Erin O’Connor, Hazel Mortel, Caoimhe Curtin, Chloe Chawke.

Management: Rory O’Connor, Vicki McCarthy, Martin Quinn, Brigid Daly, Shane Lyons