Best of luck to the ladies today

Willie Joe

Image: @Mayo_LGFA

With so much focus on the lads’ exploits at the minute, what the county’s ladies football team are up to has once more got a bit lost. It’s a recurring issue, both generally and here on the blog, and I feel I’m forever holding my hand up in acknowledgement of the fact that their matches don’t get enough coverage here.

This is undoubtedly the case but, for my part, it’s simply a recognition that there’s simply only so much that a one-man-band can do. Anyway, enough about me, today is about the ladies team and the big match they face.

And a big one it is, as this afternoon they’re up against the all-conquering Cork team with a place in this year’s All-Ireland final at stake. If they manage to get there it’ll mean another Mayo/Dublin final but I’d say there’s precious little talk about such an outcome in the camp today.

Cork are the six-in-a-row champions, having won every LGFA senior All-Ireland title bar 2010 since 2005. That was the first year they won it but the 11 titles they’ve won in the past 12 years means they’re now level with Kerry as the most successful county in the women’s game.

They’re obviously huge favourites to win out today. The ominous form they showed when steamrolling Galway in the quarter-finals demonstrated clearly that their desire for success is far from sated.

The Mayo ladies aren’t, though, without hope. Forced – like their males equivalents – to take the scenic route in this year’s championship, they won their place in today’s tie with a stirring victory over Donegal in the quarters. They’ll need to dig deep once again today if they’re to stay with the Rebels.

Today’s semi-final takes place at Breffni Park in Cavan. It’s also live on TG4 and throw-in is set for 4.45pm today. The curtain-raiser, throwing in at 3pm, is the Intermediate semi-final between Sligo and Tyrone.

It’s a big test for the ladies today but, as they’ve shown repeatedly down the years, they’ve never been found wanting in terms of heart and courage. The very best of luck to them in this one.

49 thoughts on “Best of luck to the ladies today”

  1. Let’s have that famous roar for Mayo ladies today it will be the start of a hectic 2 weeks

  3. Best of luck to them.
    For the record, it is sheer madness to put this match in Cavan today. Whatever hope they had of getting a crowd is gone with that call. Crazy stuff.

  4. Best of luck to the ladies today. They were desperately unlucky last year against the dubs. What a brilliant comeback that was. If they take their chances today they win. No more than the lads, it looks like they’re on a mission this year.

  5. Best of luck ladies. All the talk in the papers that Joe canning Brick Walsh,Kevin Moran deserving allirelands none more so than our own Cora.

  6. When all was quiet in Mayo GAA the women kept our hearts proud. They still do for me. I love their never say die attitude and this group of women is a great blend of youth and experience. I will be watching TV with my daughter. Though we rarely get to matches we are proud of our teams… men and women. Best of luck today. Any team can be beaten and Mayo can beat the best… Maigheo go deo

  8. Best of luck to the ladies today. Formidable challenge against Cork but I’m sure they’ll revel in it.

  9. Good luck to the Mayo Ladies today.

    (BTW – Any results from the ticket draw last night)? We kept getting updates all week every day and hen nothing? The lotto results can be hit and miss too.)

  11. Best wishes to the Mayo ladies this afternoon in the AI semi final. While their setup is poor the players always shows great heart and pride in the face of adversity.

  12. Willie Joe, the ladies don’t help themselves if I am honest, ever since the quater final I was trying to find the details for this fixture, was not as easy as it should be, even on the LGFA or Mayo LGFA websites

  13. Best of luck to the ladies they have a never say die attitude like the lads so don’t be suprised if they sneak it against Cork albeit a fantastic Cork side who seem to be champions forever at this stage. Whoever put a Mayo V Cork fixture in on Cavan? I thought whoever they are they never got an honour in geography for the leaving cert

  15. They nourished us at intercounty level through lean years

    I’ll be there, but then, I’ve had longer journeys

  16. Best of luck today. Would be great to see Cora back in Croke Park for the final one more time. I’m sure there must be some weird logic for putting this game on in Cavan but unfortunately it escapes my poor simple mind.

  17. Fixing this game in Cavan is down to those in charge and it is unfair and unjust on the girls. Best wishes to them either way.

  18. Best of luck Mayo ladies. Ye have given us more than your fair share of joy over the years especially at times when morale in the men’s game was at an all time low. Cora Staunton and the girls deserve huge credit for getting back to the business end this year and I hope that they give Cork a run for their money. I was listening to Cora on radio 1 after the men’s Kerry game in Croker recently and it struck me how articulate and knowlegable she is on the game. Even my work colleagues in Galway were highly impressed! What a legend.

  19. Jesus speaking of referees. The lad in Cavan right now is a shambles. Not even pretending like he’s not completely biased!

  24. Mighty win! Well done to the ladies, so its Mayo v Dublin in the ladies and the men’s finals!

  26. Well done Mayo ladies. What a performance. Such guts and determination. What a year so far for Mayo! So proud.

  30. That ref was an absolute discrase, he did not give us any thing, tryed his best to rob us to the end with that penalty decision, but we still won!!! Now for the double!! Up mayo!!

  32. Great win. Super team effort throughout. Few dicey moments but fair play, they really crowded out the cork attack. Standard of refereeing was shocking to say the least.

  34. Well done. Aileen Gilroy is some player. The soccer playing is obvious. Cora great game as usual.

    Now for the double!

  35. Absolutely brilliant. So proud of those women. Ref was hard to take but fair play they took their chances and kept Cork at a distance. Brilliant win. Congrats and so happy for you/us. Maigheo go deo ??

  36. They have beaten the best Ladies Team for the last decade. While nothing has been won yet they should feel proud of this today and celebrate it. Plenty of work to be done but you know that they WILL do it. Dare we dream of a double!

  37. Congratulations on a wonderful win. Fully deserved. A great team effort. Great for the ladies to be back in the final in Croke Park where they gave us so many wonderful days in the period 99 to 03. Has there ever been a more dominant and consistent player male or female in any team sport than Cora. . 18 years playing at the highest level for club and county and still not finished.

  39. So proud of our ladies today – so reminiscent of the men, neither team will accept being 2nd-best this year.

  40. Great win for ladies today Why was the game not played in Ennis. I cannot understand how cork agreed to Cavan. Mayo showed great spirit and determination and fully deserved victory Now for the double. Up mayo

  41. Magnificent win. Some achievement to beat the reigning All Ireland champions and the referee in the one game.

  42. Fantastic win. Congrats to all.
    Determination is the buzz in Mayo now.
    That referee today was just the worst ever.

  44. Great example set by the ladies. Not over awed by the opposition or a few dubious refereeing decisions. Cora is always so lucid and well informed about the game. RTE should look at giving her a job.

  45. Well done ladies. The ref was a complete b……s. If he wore a Cork gansi he would be true to himself. The worst refereeing I have ever witnessed. The Reilly prick from Meath was not as bad. Again well done ladies

  46. To win a match against Cork is sweet, but to beat a CHEAT of a ref like that as well is very satisfyinh

  47. Well done to the Mayo ladies and management team. Heart stopping stuff against one of the best ladies football teams of all time.

  49. 5 star, ten outta ten performance by a really well organised team. Is Cora Staunton Mayo’s greatest footballer? She might well be but there were stars for Mayo all day today. Well done, brilliant.

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