Gaynor Cup "a great experience" for Kildare stars of the future
The Kildare Gaynor Cup team 2026.
It was not the way Claire Murphy hoped things would turn out when she led her Kildare and District Underage League (KDUL) side to the 2026 SFAI Gaynor Cup last week.
The University of Limerick was the venue as the best U14 players from each schoolgirl league right across Ireland came together for a phenomenal festival of football.
Kildare brought a squad of 20 players to annual tournament, drawn upon from ten different clubs around the county, under the stewardship of manager Claire Murphy who has now completed her third year in charge of Kildare’s Gaynor Cup campaign.
Murphy brought an air of quiet optimism into the competition, telling The Kildare Nationalist ahead of the opening game: “We would definitely hope to be able to reach a final of one of (the four competitions). That would be our goal.”
Unfortunately for Kildare, however, the weekend began in a very difficult group before being beaten in all three knockout games, one day after another.
The tournament commenced on Monday with Kildare against 2021 runners-up, Limerick Desmond.
The locals scored twice in the first half to hold a commanding lead at the break, but Kildare wrestled their way back into the tie when Suncroft’s Isabeal Keaveny played in Jessica Doheny of Sallins Celtic shortly after half time.
Kildare managed to get themselves level thanks to a goal from Rathangan’s Elise Cully, but Limerick stole the win with a late goal to deny Kildare what would eventually prove to be an invaluable point.
Tuesday got off to the perfect start for Kildare, with seven changes made to the starting XI from the previous day, with two of the new faces stealing the headlines.
Newbridge United goalkeeper Ella Berney kept a clean sheet against Carlow, while a goal from Clane United’s Lilia Rybak after just 12 minutes proved to be the winning of the game.
The final game of the group was always going to be a difficult prospect, with opponents South Belfast having won their previous two games without conceding a single goal.
Claire Murphy and her coaches continued their rotation policy, with only five players keeping their place from the Carlow game earlier that day – but it was not enough to impede Belfast’s progress as the Ulster club ran out comfortable four-nil winners, scoring three in the opening half an hour.
That scoreline proved costly as Kildare missed out on a place in the next round by virtue of goal-difference alone, ultimately pipped to the post by Wexford.
Wednesday saw Kildare set out to atone for their group-stage hiccups as they moved into the Shield stage of the week.
But quarter-final opponents, Derry, proved to be another insurmountable Ulster challenge, as Kildare found themselves a goal down midway through the first half before two late Derry goals put an abrupt end to Kildare’s plans in the Shield.
With hope starting to evaporate, Thursday saw Kildare drop down to the Gaynor Trophy. Claire Murphy’s side were paired with Kilkenny, and it was their fellow Leinster side that proved to bee much too strong.
Kilkenny took the lead only for Kildare to draw level through an own goal midway through the first half. But Kilkenny brushed that aside to lead 2-1 at the break before adding another pair of goals in the second half to end Kildare’s fading hopes of leaving UL with any silverware.
Few would have expected Kildare to finish this far down the totem pole, but their fate on Friday was to face Inishowen in a less-than-prestigious 25th/26th-place playoff.
The game ended scoreless after full time and eventually ended in a penalty shootout.
Hannah Sargent (BBC United), Lilia Rybak (Clane United) and Ava Lily Kelly (Kilcullen AFC) each converted their spot-kicks, but Caoliainn Keogh (Moone Celtic) and Maggie Holton (BBC United), despite their bravery, were unable to find the target as Donegal outfit, Inishowen, escaped with the victory.
“That was tough; it was one of those games, we actually had most of the play, we were in their half for most of the game and we just couldn't find the back of the net. And so to finish on penalties, I suppose, it wasn't ideal - but look, it's one of those things with the Gaynor Cup - you're nearly guaranteed a penalty shoot-out somewhere along the line,” Murphy told The Kildare Nationalist following the tournament.
The manager found plenty of positives from the week and was full of praise for her Kildare team.
“We tried to keep the positivity high throughout the week and look it's one of those things in football - and especially tournament football - you just never know what you're going to get. But you kind of have to approach every game as a fresh start and that's what we tried to do. But just the results, unfortunately, just didn't go our way,” she said.
“The team were brilliant, their resilience - going out into every game - they all gave it 100%. At times It was really difficult, with the weather and being away from home for so long, but the girls did absolutely incredible work.
“It's a great experience and really that's what it's all about. It's about the players getting that opportunity to go and play that type of football against other leagues, experiencing what it's like to be away from home, playing in a tournament, not really seeing their family enough, eating food maybe that they're not probably too used to eating.
“All of that at such a young age as well is quite challenging for them and it's a whole new experience. And that’s what it’s all about I think, especially for those players who will go on and play football at a higher level as well and will experience being away from home and playing away games all around the country or even outside the country.”
