AN UNBEATEN MAYO side face experts Cork in the Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 1 Final this evening (Parnell Park, 7.15pm).
Mayo’s semi-final victory over Kerry was their eighth successive win of the year. The Westerners will be hoping to maintain this form and win their first league title since 2007.
Meanwhile the Leesiders are in search of their fourth league title in a row, and a first under new manager Ephie Fitzgerald.
Here are six players who should have a huge impact on the game:
1) Cora Staunton (Mayo)
[image alt="Cora Staunton" src="http://cdn.thejournal.ie/media/2016/05/cora-staunton-13.jpg" width="100%" height="" title="" class="alignnone" /end]
Despite lining out for her 22nd consecutive season, Staunton is still as sharp as she was when she first joined the senior panel at the tender age of 13.
The veteran is the focal point of the Mayo forward line, and is guaranteed to feature heavily on the scoresheet every time she dons the green and red.
The Carnacon star scored the semi-final winner in the seventh minute of additional time, taking her personal tally that day to 11 points.
https://twitter.com/KCsixtyseven/status/704031713404567552
2) Ciara O’Sullivan (Cork)
[image alt="Ciara O’Sullivan" src="http://cdn.thejournal.ie/media/2016/05/ciara-osullivan-4.jpg" width="100%" height="" title="" class="alignnone" /end]
O’Sullivan captained Cork to an All-Ireland five-in-a-row and their 10th title in 11 years last September.
The Mourneabbey club woman was named captain again this year and has been consistent throughout the current All-Ireland champions’ league campaign to date, scoring the all-important goal in their semi-final victory over Dublin.
The skilful centre-forward is sure to cause problems for the Mayo defence in Parnell Park.
3) Martha Carter (Mayo)
[image alt="Linda Barrett with Martha Carter" src="http://cdn.thejournal.ie/media/2016/05/linda-barrett-with-martha-carter.jpg" width="100%" height="" title="" class="alignnone" /end]
The experienced Carnacon player was nominated for the WGPA Player of the Month in April for her impressive league performances.
The centre-back is in search of her third national league medal and is currently in her 10th year playing senior inter-county football.
A leader in defence, Carter’s experience will definitely stand to her as she faces the challenging task of marking Ciara O’Sullivan.
4) Orla Finn (Cork)
[image alt="Orla Finn" src="http://cdn.thejournal.ie/media/2016/05/orla-finn-4.jpg" width="100%" height="" title="" class="alignnone" /end]
Finn is also a nominee for April’s WGPA Player of the Month. This comes as no surprise as the pacy corner-forward has been in remarkable form over the past few weeks.
Finn, who plays her club football with Kinsale, was pivotal for Cork in the semi-final and her seven-point tally contributed heavily to their success.
Her intelligence and work ethic will have a huge influence on Cork’s game.
5) Sarah Rowe (Mayo)
[image alt="Sarah Rowe" src="http://cdn.thejournal.ie/media/2016/05/sarah-rowe-2.jpg" width="100%" height="" title="" class="alignnone" /end]
At the age of just 20, Sarah Rowe is already a household name when it comes to Ladies GAA. Rowe, who is one of the faces of Lidl’s sponsorship campaign, spoke out about gender inequality in sport earlier in the year which caused huge discussion.
As well as being a well-known advocate for Ladies GAA and a talented footballer, Rowe is also a gifted soccer player. Thankfully for Mayo this year, she chose to pursue GAA and put her international soccer career on hold.
The nifty forward converted the equaliser in the semi-final and also scored two late goals as Mayo overcame Monaghan earlier in the year.
6) Briege Corkery (Cork)
[image alt="Briege Corkery" src="http://cdn.thejournal.ie/media/2016/05/briege-corkery-8.jpg" width="100%" height="" title="" class="alignnone" /end]
Established dual star Corkery has featured in each of Cork’s 10 championship victories in the past 11 years. Within the same time, she’s also won six All-Ireland camogie titles.
Cork’s performance will depend on the midfield partnership of Corkery alongside Rena Buckley. Their combined experience and work ethic is sure to torment Mayo and put their opposing midfielders under immense pressure.
Other notable mentions: Niamh Kelly (Mayo), Orlagh Farmer (Cork)
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Hard to be much worse than last season, but it there merit on focusing entirely on youth when U21′s and minors have been so poor in recent years.
This years minor team lost by 5 points to all Ireland champions Tipperary. This was closer than any team got to tipp this year and Cork were 6 points up at one stage of the 2nd half.
Closer than the Waterford team that beat Tipp?
@Stephen Casey: that was u21
Both Sean.
http://munster.gaa.ie/fixtures/minor/
The Waterford team that were beaten by cork in the 1st round
Yes they were. Cork had a good minor team this year. But to say they came closer to Tipp than a team that beat Tipp is incorrect.
Surely brosnan and moylan will be involved when there involvement with the glen is finished
Not arguing that there aren’t some talented young hurlers in Cork, things can’t be that bad, but given the lack of success at underage for an extended period it seems unlikely there are bunch coming through to revive the senior team. Just seems like some managers do out of desperation and an easy answer, just bringing some young lads onto a sinking ship won’t do them any good.
So, basically he’s getting his young lad on the team!
His young lad who’s widely considered one of the best young hurlers in Cork….
His young lad I have seen since u 14. A very good talent
His young lad is a serious talent.
Pa Callaghan is the fella he should be after…
Ye a very good player and putting him senior can bring him on more look forward to seeing him in the league
@John S: @John S Truth the last thing we need now is nepotism further hurting our chances of becoming a side that can even be competitive with the likes of the top tier teams such as Wexford and Clare.
From what I seen of him last year I taught Cronin was a good player
@ John S. – to be fair to him, shane Kingston is a handy enough hurler; he hasn’t come out of nowhere & is there on merit. Plenty of younger players from the Dev squad – time will tell
Pa O’Callaghan should be in there…refusing the invite again, what his beef i wonder?
Pa callaghan is a good prospect
Pa callaghan much better