Roscommon finish fourth in Gaynor Cup

The Roscommon and District Youth League’s U-14 girls side finished fourth overall at this year’s Gaynor Cup.

The Roscommon side lost 4-3 on penalties to Limerick District after the contest finished 1-1 in their semi final yesterday.

That left them in a third place play off which they lost 3-0 to a strong Cork outfit this afternoon.

Aoife Madden’s goal after 15 minutes gave Cork the perfect start while an own goal and a late Fia Comerford strike meant Roscommon finished fourth.

Roscommon, who were appearing in their first Gaynor Cup semi final yesterday, almost powered through to their inaugural final in a thrilling game with Limerick District.

Despite Lily-Rose Noonan moving Limerick in front, Roscommon hit back as Ava Hogan, who finished the Gaynor Cup campaign as her side’s top goalscorer with five goals, found the net from a right footed effort from outside the box.

After a thrilling hour of action, the contest went straight to a shootout. Despite Kayla Farnham, Lillian Fleming and Kate Devaney converting from the spot, Limerick District came through to reach their first Gaynor Cup final.

Roscommon finished top of an extremely competitive group to reach the Cup semi finals. Three sides, Roscommon, Midlands and North Tipperary all finished on six points with the former qualifying for the Cup semi final on goal difference.

Roscommon opened their campaign with a 2-1 victory over North Tipperary as Kayla Costello’s 13th minute goal and Aoibhinn Cregg’s effort helped them claim a valuable three points despite Tara Hanrahan setting up a tense finish.

Their second game ended in a 2-1 defeat to Midlands. Laurie Finnegan opened the scoring for the winners after 35 minutes before Ava Hogan’s penalty equalised the contest seven minutes later. However, Moya Kilmartin struck for the winner with nine minutes remaining.

Roscommon knew they needed a big win over Clare to progress through to the Cup semi final. They started in rapid fashion against Clare, Ava Hogan and Lauren Gunning both netted inside the opening 15 minutes.

The Conancht side kept pushing forward as Hogan completed her hat trick while Kayla Costello’s goal proved vital in Roscommon progressing to the semi finals on goal difference.

Even though they lost out to Limerick District and Cork, Roscommon can take solace in reaching a first Gaynor Cup semi final.