Ladies boss lauds Cora’s contribution

New ladies boss looking to Cora


Preview
David Jennings

NEW Mayo ladies manager Fr Mike Murphy has hailed Cora Staunton as the ‘best women’s footballer of all time’ ahead of their NFL Division 2 opener with Galway on Sunday.
Fr Murphy, who took over the reins from Jason Taniane, has been given a major boost ahead of the forthcoming campaign with news that Staunton will once again make herself available for selection.
“We will have Cora this year which is great,” Murphy confirmed.
“She is a phenomenal footballer and the best women’s footballer of all time in my book.”
After losing their seat at the top table of the league, and failing to make an impression at the business end of the All-Ireland race last year, the Mayo ladies will be keen to forget 2011.
That healing process begins on Sunday.
The Carnacon contingent are sure to be brimming with confidence following their recent All-Ireland club triumph over Na Fianna and, as well as Staunton, the new management team will also be looking to the likes of Claire Egan, Martha Carter and Fiona McHale to spearhead the push for promotion.
“We have a nice blend of youth and experience in the panel,“ explained Fr Murphy. “We have been training for two or three weeks now and the players have applied themselves well.
“It’s a tough division. You have strong teams like Kerry, Galway and Waterford who have been competing at a high level for the last number of years and then you have improving, up and coming sides like Cavan, Tipperary and Fermanagh who will be no pushovers either. It won’t be easy.”
While promotion back to the top flight is the obvious aim, Murphy also suggested that the league will be used to blood new talent and emphasised the fact that the championship is his priority.
“The County Board are doing great work at all levels and there are new structures in place at all levels. There is major development work being done which is great to see.
“There are some superb underage players coming up through the ranks and hopefully we will get a chance to introduce a couple of younger players in the league.
“While we want to win every game, we will be using the league to blood new talent and give new players some experience before the championship.”

Fixture
Ladies NFL Division 2
Galway v Mayo

Sunday, February 5
Venue TBC at 2pm