Cora Staunton has transcended being a role model for sportswomen.
She still is, of course she is. She’s one of the most inspirational figures this generation has produced and the females of Ireland could do a lot worse than follow the trail she has blazed. But Cora Staunton is also an example to footballers all over the country, men and women.
She has hunger and then some. She obviously has talent. And she delivers time after time.
What an absolute honour&privilege to be invited to @colmcooper13 testimonial dinner.What a brillant nite.Met some of heros #starstruck #GOAT pic.twitter.com/D2j8pzzCfi
— Cora Staunton (@duckie15) October 29, 2017
Last year, she amassed 30 points off her own bat as Caracon were guided to another county title.
Carnacon rock on to meet kilkerin Clonberene after winning County Final tonight 11-20 to 0-7…Cora contributing 5-15 👐🙈💚❤ 🏆 pic.twitter.com/fmCQUlEhL7
— Jen Murphy Design Studio ✏ (@JenJen_Murf) September 30, 2016
This year, she hit 1-9 for Mayo in an All-Ireland semi-final as she dragged the county back to Croke Park.
During that sensational run to the final, a run which saw her drum up 3-40 in just five games, she even managed to raise a white flag and a green flag with the one shot.
Cora Staunton some player scored 1-1 with one shot according to umpires yesterday pic.twitter.com/iKTPXmimKP
— Tommy Devane (@DevaneTommy) August 20, 2017
Now, she’s headed for Australia on a professional contract in the Aussie Rules. Her legend grows, her influence strengthens.
But she won’t be missing much football – that was never going to happen, not to a woman who has dedicated her life to the mastery of an O’Neill’s ball.
So, for the first time since she became an AFLW signing, Staunton stepped back onto the field with her club on Sunday and it was just business as usual. Business, in this case, is winning another Connacht title and business, for Cora Staunton, is kicking 4-13 along the way.
Carnacon beat Galway’s Kilkerrin/Clonberne in the provincial football decider but it was another scintillating display from one of Ireland’s finest.
Midwest Radio‘s Cormac O’Malley put the camera on Cora Staunton for the whole second half and it was as action-packed, as graceful and as cruel as you’d expect. It was beautiful in a blood bath sort of a way.
Watch the game through the eyes of Cora Staunton, through the eyes of a real predator. Watch the game on another level – the Staunton level.
