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8-time All-Ireland winner believes Mayo will lift the All-Ireland as Cora Staunton is 'unstoppable'

Juliet Murphy is backing Mayo to end their 14-year drought without a title.

THREE-TIME ALL-Ireland winning captain Juliet Murphy has tipped Mayo to lift a first ladies football title since 2003 on Sunday.

Juliet Murphy Cork's Juliet Murphy is one of the best footballers in the country Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

The Westerners are underdogs heading into their first final in a decade against a Dublin side featuring in their fourth decider in succession.

Murphy’s Cork defeated Dublin in their three previous finals, while they were eliminated by Mayo in the semi-final this year.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland today, Murphy believes Mayo’s tougher journey to the final will serve them well against Mick Bohan’s Dubs.

“I think Mayo have enough to get over the line and I think they’ve maybe had a harder test with Donegal and Cork to get the final,” she told Des Cahill.

“That’s a little bit different to Mayo from what we’ve seen but I don’t think just one player can mark Cora on Sunday, it’s just not feasible. She’s a phenomenal player and she’s unstoppable on a one-to-one.

“I do fancy Mayo. In the middle of the field Aileen Gilroy had a fantastic game against Cork, she’s really athletic and goes forward all the time.

“I think that’s going to be a really interested battle with Fiona and Aileen against Laura McGee and Olwen Carey and I think if they can get on top there they have a really good chance of winning.”

Cora Staunton claims a high ball Gary Carr / INPHO Gary Carr / INPHO / INPHO

Mayo edged Dublin by 1-11 to 1-10 in a thrilling league clash back in March, with Cora Staunton posting 1-6 including a dramatic injury-time winner.

It was the first ever Ladies National Football League played in Croke Park and the sides will do battle at the same venue with over 35,000 expected to attend.

“I think they have 13 players that played last year that starting on Sunday which is certainly an advantage,” Murphy continued.

Olwen Carey and Sinead Finnegan with Cora Staunton Gary Carr / INPHO Gary Carr / INPHO / INPHO

“But it’s important to note that earlier in the year when Mayo and Dublin played in the league, they played in Croke Park.

“That will be an advantage to those young Mayo players, they have the experience of going into the dressing room and coming out and playing in front of a large crowd, that will stand to them a little bit.

“You have the likes of Cora, Fiona McHale and Yvonne Byrne, those players have huge experience and they’ll settle the younger players.”

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    Mute Gareth Ward
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    Sep 13th 2020, 10:15 PM

    That’s some half backline UCC have, intercounty standard! Maybe a bit light in the forwards with conway being the only standout name. But hopefully they will get a few more big names back from defeated clubs after this weekend.

    Hope UCC win the cork championship, to highlight how crazy it is that they can compete.

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    Mute Tony Mcgrath
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    Sep 13th 2020, 10:17 PM

    @Gareth Ward: not a bad sub tipp senior mark kehoe

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    Mute Johnny B
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    Sep 14th 2020, 12:20 AM

    @Gareth Ward: “but hopefully they will get a few big names back”. Is that because they were playing with their clubs and not available tonight? Can you see how stupid your comment is when you look at it like that! UCC bring nothing to the Cork SHC. Amend the rules now so that students at the start of the season have to declare for their club or college. But can’t play with both. Let’s see how many Paddy Cadells /Paddy O’Loughlins they have then.

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    Mute Gareth Ward
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    Sep 14th 2020, 9:22 AM

    @Johnny B: Read my comment again and you’ll understand son. That is exactly what i mean. As i said i do hope they win it to highlight how crazy it is that they can take part.
    I don’t particularly care what they add to the cork championship, which is why i want them to win!

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    Mute Johnny B
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    Sep 14th 2020, 9:47 AM

    @Gareth Ward: apologies. Twas late when I read your comment (and was after a few pints). Didn’t read it properly. Apologies again.

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    Mute Gareth Ward
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    Sep 14th 2020, 4:05 PM

    @Johnny B: Apparently they can get back montgomery from from waterford. And bill sheehan from dicksboro can play as well when he’s available. Assuming mark kehoe will start in the next game, they’ll have quiet a strong forward unit built up then!

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