North Tipp claim Shield success at Gaynor Cup tournament
The North Tipperary Schoolchildren’s Football Leagues’ Under 14 Girls squad took part in the Gaynor Cup in the University of Limerick last week and came away as winners of the Shield competition.
They began last Tuesday against Longford. The girls played some super football throughout the match but despite creating numerous chances a first half Longford goal proved decisive in a 1-0 defeat. NTSFL player of the match was awarded to Mya Steele.
The team played two matches on Wednesday. First up was Galway and it proved to be a super match with North Tipperary creating a lot of chances throughout but once again lady luck wasn’t on their side and had to settle for a scoreless draw.
In the afternoon, the girls came up against a very strong and physical Midlands squad. They really stood up and were counted in a tough and competitive match. Unfortunately, they were on the wrong end of a 2-1 scoreline which was tough on the girls who worked hard throughout the match playing some great football. NTSFL’s scorer was Lily-Anne O’Meara.
Player of the match in the Galway game was Caitlin Russell and player of the match in the Midlands game was Kate Nevin.
They played their final group match against Roscommon on Thursday. The girls had played some super football throughout the tournament and up to this match did not get the rewards they probably deserved. This changed against Roscommon with a super performance which resulted in a 4-0 win with the goals from player of the match Grace Ehinger (2), Saoirse McLoughlin and Molly Kirwan.
North Tipperary didn’t progress to the Cup semi-finals and so entered the Shield semi-final on Friday when they took on Wexford.
Every player in the squad started a match over the three previous days and every player had at least eighty minutes playing time coming into the semi-final. The girls put in an energetic performance full of endeavour and skill. Playing some super football they manufactured numerous chances, scoring five super goals to run out 5-0 winners with the goals from Molly Kirwan (hat-trick), Mioda O’Shea and Grace Ehinger. Player of the match was Molly Kirwan.
Kildare were North Tipperary’s opposition in the Gaynor Shield final on Saturday.
Played in windy conditions, the NTSFL girls were against it in the first half and were put under pressure. This paid dividends for Kildare when midway through the half a quick break down the right wing resulted in a fine finish from the Kildare forward to give them the lead.
To the NTSFL girls’ credit they didn’t panic and started to gain control of important areas of the pitch putting the Kildare defence under pressure. Just before the halfway mark a fine delivery from a free into the penalty was expertly dispatched to the net by Saoirse McLoughlin to level the match. This gave the NTSFL girls great momentum going into the second half where they put on a super show of energy and footballing skills to totally dominate proceedings.
Five minutes into that second period Lexi Wynne scored a brilliant goal direct from a corner. Two more goals followed from Grace Ehinger and Lily-Anne O’Meara to win the Shield 4-1.
Player of the match from the competition organisers went to Lily-Anne O'Meara. Also, the NTSL coaching staff awarded two further player of the match prizes to Hannah Ryan and Saoirse Mc Loughlin. The NTSFL Players Player of the tournament was Grace Ehinger, and the coaches award went to Lexi Wynne.
Many congratulations to an absolutely super NTSFL squad. All of the twenty squad members excelled and gave everything in each match. To cap the week off with a win in the Gaynor Shield competition was super reward for each and every player.
The Gaynor Shield was presented to captain Kate Nevin and the rest of the squad afterwards to great celebrations.
At the end of a great week for girls’ soccer the NTSFL squad would like to thank the following:
- The SFAI for organising the such a great week for girls’ soccer.
- Ursula Scully for looking after all the logistical stuff around the tournament.
- UL for a super venue for such an event with every pitch in top class condition.
- Plassey Village for accommodating the girls.
- To Sean Cregan and all his staff at The Paddocks
- To all the match officials without whom there would be no tournament.
- To the girl’s family and friends who provided such positive and encouraging support all week long.
North Tipperary Gaynor Cup squad: Ava O’Rourke (Ballymackey); Niamh Craddock (Holycross); Kaitlyn Delahunty (Killavilla United); Grace Ehinger (Knigh United); Molly Kirwan (Killavilla United); Abbey Martin (Killavilla United); Louise McGrath (Holycross); Saoirse McLoughlin (Lough Derg); Aoibhinn McNamara (Newport Town); Grace Murphy (BT Harps); Danni Nash (Killavilla United); Kate Nevin (BT Harps); Lisa Nolan (Moneygall); Lily-Anne O’Meara (Killavilla United); Mioda O’Shea (Ballymackey); Hannah Ryan (Birdhill); Mya Steele (Killavilla United); Emma Sweeney (Newport Town); Lexi Wynne (Killavilla United); Caitlin Russell (Killavilla United)