FAI defend controversial Gaynor Cup changes

The FAI have defended controversial changes to the format of the 2018 Gaynor Cup, the annual tournament in Limerick widely-regarded as the premier showcase for underage women’s football in Ireland.

The launch and draw for this year’s competition took place yesterday against a backdrop of criticism that changes in the qualification process — resulting in a reduction in the number of teams in the tournament in June — are at odds with the FAI’s stated ambition to grow the number of girls playing football in this country.