Each year, tens of thousands of fans fill GAA pitches the length and breadth of the country, watching two of the greatest games in sport; football and hurling/camogie. As with all sports, the men’s games are the ones that gets all of the money and the attention of television executives. It would be easy to forget that there are women out there week-in-week-out doing just as much hard graft, training and making the same sacrifices as their male counterparts in this amateur sport.

The women’s games are different than the men’s; there is no denying it. Why would you when these differences are not negative? People say that the women’s versions are slower and they are, but in the case of football for example, slower means more technically accurate.

When you don’t hoof the ball into a 6’5” forward, you have to move it quickly up the field, using your technical prowess and team support more than those in the men’s game. The hand-passing in the top levels of women’s football is beyond compare as is the running off the ball, tracking and supporting the ball-carrier, readying for the pass or just putting off the opposition’s defense.

This year’s GAA Championships looks like it’s going to be a cracker. Over the past five years, Ladies Football has been all about Cork. This year they are vying for a record fifth consecutive title and, after winning the Division 1 National League title in May, it looks more than likely that they’ll be lifting the Brendan Martin Cup in September. The Rebellettes are an awesome combination of fitness, power and talent but, as their captain Mary O’Connor, said at the launch of the championships in May:

Every team sets out hoping to be in Croke Park come September but it is a tough long road to get there. As champions everyone wants to knock you off that pedestal and we are very aware of that and that brings its own pressure. Any of the top eight teams can beat each other on their day so we will just take it one game at a time.

Mary may lead the Cork ladies on the field but it’s Angela Walsh (above, left) who is the superstar of the Rebellettes. Last year’s Cork captain, full-back Angela is one of the best defenders in the game, male or female. She sticks to her opponent like glue and is dogged beyond belief, infuriating players with her inability it give up. She has saved Cork’s blushes on a number of occasions.

One such match was the final of the National League in May, when Cork met their old rivals, Mayo. Mayo have a superstar of their own, in the incomparable Cora Staunton (right) and are on the up this year. The Mayo News understandably gushed:

Her swagger, strength, skill and scores are the key components of the phenomenon that is Cora Staunton

In real terms though, when she’s fit Cora is a full team in one women. She can literally do anything on the field and has a passion for the game that hasn’t diminished in her 10-odd years of playing at the top level:

I want to get back to that All-Ireland Final day, the last few minutes at Croke Park, the crowds running out, and the personal satisfaction that the ten months work you’ve put in has paid off. You and the team have won together. Nothing beats that.

As for camogie, Cork are, again, the best of the best, but a resurgent Wexford have just won the National League so will be hot on their heels hoping to lift the O’Duffy Cup on September 13. You can never discount Kilkenny when it comes to camogie and Galway, too, will be waiting to pounce on any team that doesn’t see them coming.

The first round of the Ladies GAA Football Championships takes place on July 27 and is live on TG4 at 6.30pm with Meath v Armagh and Down v Dongeal.

Popularity: 1% [?]

No related posts.