Cora Staunton runs the rule over Mayo’s 2024 prospects

UNEARTHING another marquee forward and tightening a goal-prone defence are two of the main challenges facing new Mayo manager Liam McHale, according to the legendary Cora Staunton.

McHale faces a tough test in his first game as manager when Mayo host two-time All-Ireland senior champions Meath in McHale’s back yard in James Stephen’s Park in Ballina on Sunday at 2pm.

Mayo will be without the services of experienced defender Clodagh McManamon, who has opted out of the panel due to work and other commitments.

The Mayo News also understands that at least four more players who were part of Michael Moyles’ panel in 2023 involved for the coming season.

The Connacht champions will, however, be able to call on the 36-year-old Fiona McHale on Sunday.

Speaking to The Mayo News, Staunton said that Mayo would find it ‘challenging’ to be without some of their more experienced players for the coming season.

Staunton, who recently joined the Ballina Stephenites senior footballers as a forwards coach, said it had been ‘too long’ since Mayo had been in an All-Ireland final.

“The biggest area for me is that they’ve struggled massively in retaining their own ball from kick outs. I think the major games, the semi-finals and that they’ve lost against Kerry last year and in previous years as well, that was a big area that they just couldn’t get right, said Staunton.

“They probably need to find a couple of taller big bodied, very athletic midfielders that can get around the ground and get to them kickouts. I also think they could probably shore up their defence a little bit from conceding a little too many goals over the last year.

“You are always, whether it’s in the men’s or women’s game, you are always probably looking for that other really powerful kind of scoring forward. I think the likes of Sinéad Walsh… but you have to give her time to grow. We need someone like Amy Macken, or Emma Duggan or Hannah Tyrrel or someone like that, that focal point in the forward line. It probably takes a lot of burden off the forwards and can help them go to work.”

Speaking about her new coaching role with Ballina Stephenites, Staunton said she was approached by team manager Niall Heffernan regarding a role in his backroom team before Christmas.

Heffernan was previously a member of the Mayo senior ladies backroom team under Frank Browne’s in 2017 – the year Mayo last appeared in an All-Ireland senior final.

Staunton, who has previously worked with the Mayo Minors, the Galway senior camogie team and Carnacon underage teams, will replace Éanna Casey, who has taken up a coaching role with St Mary’s in Sligo.

“I’ve been used to, in my career, coming up against probably a lot of defensive structures for myself personally and stuff, giving them little tips and tricks and try and get the team gelling and working together,” said Staunton.

“A forward unit isn’t just your six forwards, it’s working from your corner-backs right the way up. I’m looking forward to it. We’ll all have an input and the players will too. It’s small tweaks that we’re making to make them a little bit better than they were last year.”