Gaynor Cup week ending in a win went way past my expectations as a coach and as a person

Last week, I spent six unforgettable days at the University of Limerick as Head Coach of the Cork U14 Girls team at the Gaynor Cup tournament. Undoubtedly, it was one of the greatest highs I have ever experienced in my sporting life.

Our journey began when 20 excited girls arrived at Kilmurray Village and settled into their accommodation on Sunday afternoon. 

From that moment, the madness began. 

What followed was a remarkable week of football and unforgettable memories.

Over the course of five days, the girls played seven games. 

We recorded group-stage wins over Cavan Monaghan, Louth, and Waterford to finish top of our group. 

Those performances earned us a last-16 clash against South Tipperary, followed by a quarter-final against Clare and a semi-final against Sligo Leitrim.

Then came the final against Galway.

The game was everything a final should be—tense, competitive, and emotional. 

When it eventually went to penalties, every nerve in my body seemed to come alive.

The image that will stay with me forever is the relief and pure joy on the girls’ faces when Lexie King stepped up and buried the winning penalty. The celebration that followed was incredible. 

I have watched that video countless times since returning home, and every time I do, it brings a tear to my eye.

During the penalty shoot out I remember standing on the sideline firstly thinking we’ve got this, we’ve got Emma- our outstanding goalkeeper. 

"As time went on I was thinking, “If we score this, we win.” 

The second the ball hit the net, I took off running. By the time I reached the pile of celebrating players, I was almost ready to collapse. Somewhere between the touchline and the huddle, I think I cried which must have drained whatever energy I had left in me. 

It was an overwhelming feeling—pure relief, pride, and happiness all at once.

For me, personally, it represented the culmination of years of hard work. 

More than anything, I wanted these girls to experience success. The majority of them had already won an All-Ireland title at U12, but not all. 

And nothing on a big stage like this.

The joy I felt for them in that moment last Friday is difficult to explain because I knew exactly how much they had earned it.

The Gaynor Cup holds a special place in my heart. 

I played in the original tournament, then known as the Bracken Tournament, back in 1996. Years later, I returned as a parent and spent three fantastic years watching my own children, Jesse and Alix, represent Cork. 

Both captained Cork and both experienced success at Gaynor. 

I have also been involved as a house mom, so the tournament has been part of my life for many years.  Speaking of house moms - a special word of thanks to our fab five - Ciara Dennis, Fiona Donovan, Gabriel Collins, Susan Murphy and Sarah O'Shaughnessy.

The job they do minding, feeding and looking after the girls off the pitch was a huge part in our success.

To return once again and win the Gaynor Cup as a manager, seven years after Cork’s last success—when Alix was part of that winning team—makes this achievement even more meaningful.

Of course, achievements like this are never accomplished alone. 

I was fortunate to work alongside an outstanding coaching team. 

Sarah Scanlon, Muireann Deasy, Dan Moynihan, and Sam Dowd were exceptional throughout the week, providing endless support, guidance, and encouragement.  A word of praise for our physio Lorraine White also, she went above and beyond to ensure all the girls aches and pains were sorted every day.

The role played in the development of these players by previous Cork coaches Michael Deasy, Shane O’Neill, Johnathon O’Callaghan and Joe Moschino is not forgotten. 

The parents were fantastic and trusted us with their daughters throughout the tournament. 

Clare Deasy, our co-ordinator, worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure everything ran smoothly and I can't thank her enough for all she did for us all year.  Also, a special thanks to the league committee, led by Brian Murphy, for their support all year.

One thing that has always stayed with me over the years is hearing my own children talk about their Gaynor Cup experiences. 

To this day, Jesse and Alix will regularly say that “Gaynor was the best week of our lives.” As a parent, those words tell you everything you need to know about what this tournament means to young players.

When I took charge of this Cork group, one of my biggest aims was to ensure that 20 more girls would have an experience that would stay with them forever. 

I wanted them, in ten years’ time, to look back and say exactly the same thing.

Of course, I wanted the girls to perform, compete and be the best they could be on the pitch, but I also wanted them to enjoy every minute of the experience. 

The friendships they made, the laughs they shared, the late-night chats, and the endless number of TikToks they created were all part of the journey. 

Because the truth is that, no matter what happens on the pitch, it is often the memories made off it that stay with players the longest.

Thankfully, I believe we managed to achieve that balance. 

The girls embraced every aspect of the week, creating friendships and memories that will last a lifetime. 

Yet, there is one match that I know they will never forget. That is because, at the end of it, there was a trophy waiting to be lifted. 

Seeing those girls celebrate together after all their hard work and dedication made me realise that everything we had hoped to achieve had come true.

Mission accomplished.