“We could tell some stories where we were training in early January and there were no facilities at all. You’re lucky if you have a dressing room never mind a toilet… You are probably better looked after, at times, within your club than you are with your county.”
So says Cora Staunton, one of the greatest players of her generation, and the generation after that.
The Mayo forward gave a fascinating, and at times stark, interview to Newstalk’s Off The Ball last night. It was a segment that must give the GAA pause for thought.
Staunton has just finished her 21st championship season and says it will be 22 ‘if I don’t hang up the boots next year’.
Given the fact that she is still scoring, and contributing, as much as ever, it would be no surprise to see her stick around a while longer.
She added, “I’d say I’m fitter and stronger than I was seven, eight years ago because of the way training has evolved and moved on. You eat and sleep football. Everything has moved on – strength and conditioning, diet and nutrition.
“The promotion of the sport, with it being on TG4 and all, has helped too.”
Staunton commented, “You have to be careful about what you say, when you are playing, but there are definitely things that need changing… We’re putting in five days a week at the height of the season. You are gone training or in the gym.
“For myself, I’m putting in 11 months of the year of really hard effort but we’re still driving to training and paying your own expenses. We’re still paying for food. You’re not getting any of those rewards out of it.
“For the younger girls, I see, you’re not going to entice them to play, that way. A lot of girls have to choose between a part-time job – to keep them going in college – or not having one so you can play football.”
Staunton says that while Dublin and Cork, who contest this Sunday’s Ladies Football Final, might receive some funding to help their wider squad, a ‘huge amount’ needs to be done for other counties.
She touched on the fact that Irish Rugby is now offering talented women, including a host of GAA players, financial packages and the chance to play Sevens Rugby at the Olympics.
Before she predicted Cork to beat Dublin, Staunton commented, “People will say ‘Oh, that’s just women moaning’ but it’s not. All we want is basic facilities, and being looked after.
“That’s not seen. People aren’t seeing where we are training in January or February; how we’re fundraising for jerseys… there is a lot more behind the scenes.”
