Mayo's Gaynor Cup squad go for glory in Limerick

THE Mayo Under 14 girls head to University Limerick today (Tuesday) to take part in the 25-team 2022 Gaynor Cup tournament.

This will be the first time since 2019 that University Limerick is back hosting the five-day festival of girls’ football due to Covid-19. The Mayo squad was quite late in being picked this year due to management being acutely aware of the workload that many of these girls had with different sports at different age levels across clubs and schools.

The 20-girl squad was selected in late April drawn from 11 Mayo football clubs but training has been really good and the squad have been to Ennis to play in a pre-Gaynor Cup Competition as well as a number of good friendlies in Solar 21 Park.

Mayo are in Group 5 and open their campaign against Clare this (Tuesday) evening. Tomorrow (Wednesday) sees them play two games facing MGL North at 12.30 p.m. and Kilkenny at 6 p.m. They conclude their group stage on Thursday facing NECSL. Each team will then enter the knock-out phase based on their final group standing.

John Flanagan remains Head of Delegation, Michael Collins is the manager of the team supported by coaches Emma Gibbons, Jessica Lambe and Sinead Mulhern. Speaking after their final training session before departing, Michael Collins was relieved to report that a few ongoing injury concerns were clearing up and he looked forward to the girls giving a good account of themselves.

"We have girls in this squad that we have been working with at Mayo level with since 2019 and they continue to develop as really good footballers and also inspire the newer additions to their level.

"We feel that there are as good footballers here as anywhere else and, with a little luck along the way we feel that we can give a really good account of ourselves. The Mayo Schoolboys/Girls League continue to back the girls’ game and treat it with the respect it deserves".

The Mayo Gaynor Cup squad profile is as follows:

1. Aoife Meaney (Westport United)

One of the three most experienced players in the Squad. Was goalkeeper for the Squad who won the Under 12 Gaynor Cup in 2019 and was again between the sticks for the Under 13 squad who won the Gaynor Plate in 2022. Superb all-round goalkeeper with phenomenal kicking ability.

2: Emma Higgins (Claremorris AFC)

Probably the fastest girl in the squad a fantastic player at a variety of sports. Can play in a number of positions equally well. Was part of the Gaynor Plate winning group last year.

3: Kate Byrne (Kiltimagh Knock United)

Supremely talented footballer equally at home anywhere across the back four. Possesses an uncanny ability to always be in the right place at the right time. Also was part of the Gaynor Plate Winners last year.

4: Aine Monaghan (Erris United.

This girl wins the award for most travelled player in the squad making the long onerous trek into Castlebar from Belmullet on a weekly basis. Aine is a tough no nonsense centre-back who won the Gaynor Plate last year. Plays in the boys’ team at her Club.

5: Aoife Collins (Kiltimagh Knock United)

Played on the 2019 Gaynor Cup Under 12 winning squad and the 2022 Gaynor Plate winning squad. Operates at centre-back for Mayo but plays in midfield for her Club. Her favourite player is Liverpool's Joe Gomez.

6: Roise Burke (Partry Athletic)

A major reason why her club has re-established a girls’ team after a number of years absence. Deployed primarily as the holding midfielder but can also play as an attacking midfielder and centre-back. Captained last year’s Gaynor Plate Winners.

7: Kasey Ruane (Conn Rangers)

Another girl who is multi-talented at a few sports. Terrific quick feet and with an eye for goal Kasey has been putting in a lot of impressive performances. Was also part of Gaynor Plate winning squad.

8: Alanna Jordan (Westport United)

This is her first year playing with Mayo but very much got picked on merit. Her link play in midfield has been most impressive and quite a vocal presence.

9: Ursula Shaugsnessy (Ballinrobe Town)

Phenomenal scorer of goals at club level and another very proficient at a number of sports amongst them boxing. Always has a great attitude and a desire to improve and lined out last year too for the Mayo Gaynor Cup squad.

10: Amy Murphy. Conn Rangers.

Very intelligent footballer who can see passes that few can. Brilliant with a dead ball as her winning goal in the Plate final showed. With continued application can have a big future in the game.

11: Aoibhin Mc Garry (Swinford AFC)

Extremely talented wide attacking player who can weigh in with her fair share of goals. Played last year also for the Under 13 Mayo side.

12: Brooke Grimes (Westport United)

Good goalkeeper and huge personality would sum this girl up. She would be the “life and soul” of the group and always plays with a smile on her face. Played in the squad last year too.

13: Amy Doherty (Kilmurry Youth Soccer Club)

The youngest player in the squad but one of the most experienced. Amy was part of the 2019 Gaynor Cup Winning Squad as well as the 2021 Plate Winners. Wonderfully adaptive technical player who can play anywhere across the defence or midfield. Another player with a huge future.

14: Sarah-Jane Kilcawley (Castlebar Celtic)

Very gifted midfield player who was also part of last year’s group. Always looks to play the ball forward at every opportunity and get up the pitch to support her forwards.

15: Emma Dowling (Ballinrobe Town)

Can play up front down the middle or on the left. Very prolific goal-getter at Club level and is now adding goals for Mayo too. Played on squad last year too.

16: Alanna Kelly (Claremorris AFC)

Forward who can play across the front three but probably most at home on the left. Found the net on a few occasions during last year’s Plate winning run.

17: Kayleigh Coggins. Kilmurry Youth Soccer Club.

Brilliant versatile player who can operate anywhere across the back four or as a holding midfielder. Superb reading and anticipation during the game and makes it look easy. Member of last year’s squad too.

18: Cliodhna Dowling (Castlebar Town)

Small in stature but a real warrior in the game. Another high performing player of a number of sports she can also play in a number of different roles. Was part of last year’s group but is currently out injured but hopefully will make it back in time.

19: Cara Culkin (Conn Rangers)

The personification of a tigerish defender. Wonderful attitude and application in coming back from a serious injury during last year’s Gaynor Cup run. Putting in some serious showings in training.

20: Mary Moran (Kiltimagh Knock United)

First year at this level. Can play up front on either flank as well as being able to fill in at midfield or defence. Has started adding goals at club level.

Head Coach: John Flanagan (Castlebar Town)

A veteran of the female game across all ages from U10s up to Seniors at Club level and Gaynor Cup Programmes. Still has boundless energy and zest for the game. Has put a strong roster of Coaches in place across all Mayo age brackets.

Manager: Michael Collins (Kiltimagh Knock United)

Like John has been around the female game a long time. For years at Gaynor Cup level was coach to Kevin Sheeran’s management and has taken over the management during Kevin’s sabattical. A UEFA B Licence holder, he often quotes the great late Bob Paisley. “It’s not about the short ball or the long ball it’s about the right ball” and the equally great late Brian Clough “If God had wanted us to play football in the sky, he’d have put grass up there.”

Coach: Emma Gibbons (Castlebar Town)

Emma who is probably better known as “Gibby” has been coaching at Mayo level for the past five to six years. This 22-year-old is a student at Sligo IT and said the following.

“I’ve a great interest in girls’ football and I think it’s a great way to give something back. As a female it’s always nice to see more and more girls playing football and doing well with both Club and county and, even further afield.

"I like to see the girls reach their full potential and if I can help them do that so much the better. I’m very lucky to have had great help and coaching knowledge around me from people like John Flanagan, Michael Collins, Kevin Sheeran and many more to help me be the best Coach I can be.

"I have been very lucky to get the opportunities I have got and hopefully I can push on from here and get even better as a Coach and even more opportunities will arise in the future”.

Coach: Jessica Lambe (Conn Rangers)

Jess has been coaching girls in the age bracket 8-15 in her club for the past four years. During the past year she has been involved in the Football for All Programme in addition to completing her “D” licence.

Jess has been coaching at Mayo level for the past three years and was part of the management that won the 2019 Under 12 Gaynor Cup.

“As a female who played the game and now have taken up a coaching career, it’s a great opportunity to promote girls’ soccer and continuing doing what I love”.