Limerick sides set for Day 2 of Gaynor Cup at UL after Monday's opening fixtures

For the first time ever three different teams are representing Limerick in this week's Gaynor Cup at the University of Limerick.

A total of 26 teams are competing in the U14 Interleague Schoolgirl competition.

All three Limerick sides, Limerick Desmond, competition newcomers Limerick District, as well as Limerick County opened their campaigns with group fixtures on Bank Holiday Monday.

Limerick District return to action in Group 3 at 10am today, Tuesday at UL while, at the same time, Limerick Desmond face Inishowen at 10am in Group 2.

The Limerick County side also returns to action when facing the Clare League at 12noon.

Round-up of Monday's action in Gaynor Cup:

Limerick Desmond 0

North Tipperary 4

THE first Limerick side to take the field were the Limerick Desmond league who played local rivals North Tipperary in Group 2 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 side's net inside ten minutes.

Tipp kept the pressure on from the goal. This pressure led to the awarding of a penalty inside 20 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 sufficiently.

The second half was much the same as North 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 before the final whistle.

Limerick District 2

Carlow 4

THE Limerick District side kicked off in their very first appearance in the competition 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 Alexandra Sheehy, of Fairview Rangers, narrowing the gap within four minutes. This was how the score remained at half time.

After a well deserved break it was Carlow who kept pushing forward at every opportunity. Midway through the half Milton managed to extend her sides lead again. In almost a carbon copy of the first half Limerick response was immediate as the highly regarded Madison McGuane of Pike Rovers buried a shot into the net to make it 3-2.

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.

Waterford 3

Limerick County 0

The Limerick County side were last up on the opening day as they faced Munster rivals Waterford, going down 0-3

As the sun was going down both sides produced a great opening half of football which was well-contested. As the half drew to a close it was hard to see a breakthrough coming. However, this changed with two minutes left in the half as Waterford took the 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 respective defences. 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:

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.

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

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

Management team

Rory O'Connor - Manager

Brigid Daly - Coach/ first aid

Chantal Samson - Kit/ photographer

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. 

Management team:

Mike Boyle, Ballingarry AFC

Joan Croke, Broadford Utd

PJ Hogan, Creeves Celtic

Caitrin Dé Bhál, Newcastle West Town FC

Dave Slattery, Summerville