Just the 1-6 for Cora Staunton on Saturday.
Your average footballer would consider that a decent return but Cora Staunton is not your average footballer, is she?
We’re talking about an individual who racked up 30 points in a club final just last year. We’re talking about a woman who was quoted to have had a quiet game, after she hit 1-11 in the qualifiers against Kildare.
Staunton was on The GAA Hour live show in Westport to give terrific insight into the Mayo/Kerry game but, two days later, it was business as usual as she helped her county storm into the All-Ireland semi-final.
What a show in Westport!#GAAHour Live podcast coming your way tonight pic.twitter.com/GN5x0YWO9m
— The GAA Hour (@TheGAAHour) August 17, 2017
Mayo beat a fancied Donegal side – typically inspired by Geraldine McLaughlin – to book their place in the last four with a second half rout that saw them through 3-14 to 2-11 and, whilst Grace Kelly rattled home 1-4 herself, it was Staunton who led the way and it was Staunton who confused the umpires.
It’s a natural reaction if you’re behind the goals keeping an eye on scores – when you see Cora Staunton bearing down on the posts, you’re probably going to have to go reaching for a flag, whatever colour flag it might be.
So, when the Carnacon superstar hit the net in the quarter-final, both umpires got a little too exited as they both picked up their flags and waved them frantically.
Cora Staunton some player scored 1-1 with one shot according to umpires yesterday pic.twitter.com/iKTPXmimKP
— Tommy Devane (@DevaneTommy) August 20, 2017
One shot. Two flags.
That’s what they call The Staunton Effect.
It really is an incredible task to try get your head around the magnitude of what she is doing every weekend, every year.
We’re talking about a footballer who made her debut for her county at 14. That isn’t a typo. 14.
We’re talking about someone who has been doing it for two decades – not just doing it, absolutely dominating. It’s not as if no-one is aware of the threat of Cora Staunton. It’s not like nobody is preparing to counteract The Staunton Effect.
They just can’t. No matter how hard they try.
Mayo will now face Cork in the semi-finals, the same county who’ve clinched 11 of the last 12 All-Ireland titles. It won’t worry Cora Staunton too much though.
Ladies All-Ireland semi-finals:
Dublin v Kerry (August 26)
Mayo v Cork (September 2)
It’s just another challenge to rise to. She generally meets them.
Thanks to Alan Devane for sending this our way. If you have any pieces of content you’d like to share with us, hit us up on Facebook or Twitter or send us an email at editorial@SportsJOE.ie.
