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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Legend, both on and off the field.
@Aidan Prior: a physical beast. Seems like a genuine guy too. Big into the environment and helping people.
Loved the documentary about home growing up. Mad stuff!
@Pilib: any link to it
Apparently the criticism from past players and on message boards about him blocking Australian born players from representing their country was too much for him to take….
Brilliant player and a great leader.
@Brian Power: thats unbelievable , pure hypocrisy , did Quade Cooper get stick ? Stephen Moore ?
@Limón Madrugada: think he is being sarcastic. Pocock moved when he was 14 not quite the same as Kleyn so the jibe is misplaced
@Dominic Gallagher: it’s partially tongue in cheek , players not born in a country representing the country is just a fact of life in rugby and always has been. JK , BA, CJ have received a lot of negative attention recently but I wonder will James Lowe or JGP receive the same? I really hope they don’t. All the major rugby playing nations have availed of the rule, some more than others , even SA with the Beast have used it to their advantage.
It actually is irrelevant to me if a player moved to a new country at 14 or 22 if he qualifies and is deemed by the coaches to be the better choice then I am OK with it. I remember well in the early 90’s the delight when Staples , Geoghegan and Bishop were drafted in to the Irish set up so we were not always as reluctant to welcome the new comers
@Brian Power: absolutely OFF THE BALL went to town when Bundee Started playing for Ireland Also when Grobler was picked for Munster and as for the court case up in Ulster they were foaming at the mouth with indignation. However when it comes to the local boys in Dublin it is all sweetness – hard to listen to them – but I have only myself to blame.
@Cul Muldoon:
You answered your own question ::You only have yourself to blame :: so stop it ::it is your fault and it is your own fault :: And you have yourself to blame :: you are so right. I find it easy to listen to the local boys in Dublin it is all sweetness :: we do our best ::