Limerick District League celebrate thrilling Gaynor Cup All-Ireland final success

THE Limerick District League celebrated a thrilling 1-0 Gaynor Cup U14 inter-league final victory over the Dublin and District League in a dramatic final played at UL on Friday afternoon.

Rhiann Nolan, of Pike Rovers, fired home from the penalty spot in the 53rd minute of a nail-biting final to secure victory for the Limerick side and spark scenes of enthusiastic celebration among players, management team members and supporters at full-time.

It was a first victory in the All-Ireland competition for the Limerick District League.

Limerick District had been awarded a spot kick in the previous passage of play after a handball by a DDSL player as Aoife Grant closed her down. However, that penalty kick was saved by the DDSL 'keeper who parried the ball away.

However, the Limerick District were awarded a second spot kick after Grant was bundled over inside the box after seizing on the rebound. Nolan took the spot kick this time and showed admirable composure to blast the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

Gaynor Cup final success is a terrific achievement for the District League squad as some 27 teams, including three Limerick sides, set out with the goal of claiming the prestigious trophy at the start of the week.

The Gaynor Cup is Ireland's premier interleague tournament for U14 girls football, organised by the Schoolboys/Girls Football Association of Ireland (SFAI).

Limerick won all three of their round robin fixtures to win Group 2 and advance to the quarter-finals of the 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.

District claimed their second win of the group stages when overcoming the Longford League 2-0 on Tuesday morning. Goals in either half from Paige Morgan, of Granville Rangers, on 25 minutes and Shelbourne's Aoife Grant in the 57th minute sealed their success.

The round three fixtures saw a derby clash between Limerick District and the Limerick Desmond League. A highly entertaining contest produced five goals, with District edging the outcome 3-2. 

The District League goals were scored by Grace Geary, of Shelbourne, Anna Meaney of Pike Rovers, and Sarah Hayes of Lisnagry.

Those wins saw District earn a quarter-final meeting with the Waterford League on Wednesday. After a tight contest, a resilient District League side came out on top with Rhiann Nolan netting the winner.

The Roscommon League provided the opposition for Limerick District at the semi-final stage on Thursday. After the sides finished 1-1, the District's goal scored by Lily Rose Noonan, the game was decided by a penalty shoot-out.

Limerick District held their nerve to come through the spot kick competition 4-3, with Zoe McNamara, Aoife Grant, Anna Meaney, Mia McLoughlin finding the net.

The win secured a final place for Limerick District who showed admirable character to edge their talented opponents in Friday's final.

Structured with group stages and a series of finals, including the Cup, Plate, Bowl, Shield, and Trophy, the five-day Gaynor Cup 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.

Meanwhile, the Limerick Desmond League secured victory over the Derry League in their play-off fixture at the Gaynor Cup at UL on Friday. Jean O'Kane, Elise Vang and Neasa Riedy were on target for the Limerick side.

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