Cora Staunton

Last updated

Cora Staunton
Cora Staunton 03.02.18.jpg
Staunton playing Australian rules football with Greater Western Sydney in February 2018
Personal information
Sport Ladies' Gaelic football
Position Forward
Born (1981-12-13) 13 December 1981 (age 42)
Height 172 cm (5 ft 8 in)
Occupation HSE Liaison Officer
Club(s)
YearsClub
 Carnacon
Inter-county(ies)
YearsCountyApps (scores)
1995–2018
 Mayo 66 (59:476)
Inter-county titles
All-Irelands 4
All Stars 11

Cora Staunton (born 13 December 1981) is an Irish sportswoman. She is best known as a ladies' Gaelic footballer, winning four All-Irelands and three Ladies' National Football League titles with Mayo. She has also been an All Star on eleven occasions. In addition to playing Gaelic football, Staunton has also played three other football codes at a senior level. In 2006, as an association footballer, she won an FAI Women's Cup winner's medal with the Mayo Ladies' League representative team. In 2013, she began playing rugby union for Castlebar Ladies in the Connacht Women's League. In she 2018 made her Australian rules football debut in the AFLW competition for the Greater Western Sydney Giants, establishing herself by 2022 as one of the league's all-time great goalkickers. She has also played for the Ireland women's international rules football team. Staunton works as a HSE liaison officer, working with women from the Irish Travellers community. [1] [2] [3] [4]

Contents

In 2018, Staunton released her autobiography called Game Changer; it was named as the 2018 Bord Gáis Energy Sports Book of the Year. [5]

Early life

Staunton was raised in Carnacon, County Mayo. [6] Her father was a farmer and her mother worked in the catering department of a local hospital. She has four brothers and three sisters and is the second youngest amongst her siblings. In 1995, her mother, Mary, was diagnosed with cancer. She died on 11 July 1998 when Staunton was 16. [7] [8] [4]

Gaelic football

Staunton began playing Gaelic football at the age of seven in her local school in Carnacon. She later played with boys' teams in nearby Ballinrobe. Among her earliest team mates was Alan Dillon. Staunton made her debut at senior level for the Mayo county ladies' football team in 1995 aged just 13. She made her first appearance in an All-Ireland final in 1999. However, she played just 90 seconds of the game because she had broken her collarbone in training a week before the final. The team elected to start her anyway, as a ceremonial gesture. She made her second All-Ireland appearance in 2000, scoring 2:2 as Mayo defeated Waterford. Staunton's third All-Ireland appearance in 2001 ended in disappointment after a mix-up over a last minute kick-out saw Mayo lose by a single point to Laois. However Staunton and Mayo then won two successive All-Irelands in 2002 and 2003. Staunton played in a sixth All-Ireland in 2007. Staunton has also won six All-Ireland Ladies Club Football Championships with her club, Carnacon. [1] [8] [4] [9]

Association football

Staunton plays association football for Ballyglass Ladies in the Mayo Ladies League. As a youth she was invited to trials for the Republic of Ireland U–16s but she declined, preferring to concentrate on Gaelic football. [7] However, she continued to play association football at club level. In 2006, she was a member of the Mayo Ladies League representative team that won the FAI Women's Cup, defeating UCD 1–0 in the final at Richmond Park. Staunton was just one of several members of the Mayo Ladies League representative team who also played Ladies Gaelic football for Mayo. Others included Yvonne Byrne, Aoife Herbert, Michelle Ruane, Martha Carter, Triona McNicholas and Emma Mullin. [10] [11] [12] As a result of winning the 2006 FAI Women's Cup, the Mayo Ladies League qualified to represent the Republic of Ireland in the 2007–08 UEFA Women's Cup. The competition format saw the team travel to Austria in August 2007 to play in a mini-tournament to decide who would progress to the next round. [13] Unfortunately the UEFA Women's Cup tournament clashed with a 2007 All-Ireland Senior Ladies' Football Championship quarter-final game against Monaghan. In the opening game of the tournament, Staunton scored for Mayo in a 4–1 defeat to Gol Częstochowa. However, she then returned to Ireland, along with Yvonne Byrne and Aoife Herbert, to line-up against Monaghan. [14] [15] [16] While playing with Ballyglass Ladies, Staunton also won the 2011 WFAI Intermediate Cup. [17]

International rules football

Staunton was a member of the Ireland women's international rules football team that played against Australia in the 2006 Ladies' International Rules Series. [18] [19] [20]

Rugby union

In September 2013 Staunton made her rugby union debut for Castlebar Ladies in a Connacht Women's League game against Tuam. She subsequently scored seven tries in a 68–15 win. [21] She also went onto captain Castlebar to the league title. [22]

Australian rules football

Cora Staunton
Personal information
Date of birth (1981-12-13) 13 December 1981 (age 42)
Original team(s) Greater Western Sydney
Debut Round 1, 2018, Greater Western Sydney  vs. Melbourne, at Casey Fields
Height 172 cm (5 ft 8 in)
Position(s) Forward
Playing career1
YearsClubGames (Goals)
2018–2022 (S7) Greater Western Sydney 50 (55)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2022 season 7.
Career highlights
Source: AustralianFootball.com

Staunton's decision to play Australian rules football came after a conversation with her compatriot Nick Walsh, an assistant coach at the Greater Western Sydney Giants. [23] She was drafted by the Giants in the 2017 AFL Women's draft and was the first international player to be signed to an AFL Women's list. [24] [25]

In 2018 Staunton returned to Ireland to play for Mayo county during which time she was selected in the Ireland Banshees squad for the Euro Cup 9-a-side Australian rules tournament at Cork. [26]

On 28 August 2022, she scored three goals in Greater Western Sydney's defeat to Western Bulldogs, a tally that included her 50th goal in the league, with only Darcy Vescio ahead of her. [27]

In March 2023, Staunton retired from Australian rules football. [28]

Statistics

Legend
  G  
 Goals
  K  
 Kicks
  D  
 Disposals  
  T  
 Tackles
  B  
 Behinds  
  H  
 Handballs  
  M  
 Marks
Cora Staunton AFLW statistics
SeasonTeamNo.GamesTotalsAverages (per game) Votes
GBKHDMTGBKHDMT
2018 Greater Western Sydney 1375839185713140.71.15.62.68.11.92.00
2019 Greater Western Sydney 1376465319619240.90.69.34.413.72.73.46
2020 Greater Western Sydney 1378751126314121.11.07.31.79.02.01.76
2021 Greater Western Sydney 1391010†64299318181.11.1§7.13.210.32.02.0
2022 (S6) Greater Western Sydney 131018950257519171.80.95.02.57.61.91.7
2022 (S7) Greater Western Sydney 13108538337113210.80.53.83.37.11.32.1
Career [29] 505543307148455961061.10.96.13.09.11.92.1

Honours

Gaelic football

Individual

Mayo

Carnacon

Association football

Mayo

Ballyglass Ladies

Rugby union

Castlebar Ladies

  • Connacht Women's League
    • Winners: 2013: 1

Hanwell Mens

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Castlebar</span> Town in County Mayo, Ireland

Castlebar is the county town of County Mayo, Ireland. Developing around a 13th-century castle of the de Barry family, from which the town got its name, the town now acts as a social and economic focal point for the surrounding hinterland. With a population of 13,054 in the 2022 census, Castlebar was one of the fastest growing towns in Ireland in the early 21st century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australian rules football in Ireland</span>

In Ireland, Australian rules football began in 1999 when clubs were simultaneously formed in Dublin and Belfast, however awareness of it dates back to the 20th century due to similarities with Gaelic football and hyrbid matches played between Irish and Australian teams. It has subsequently becoming a source of players for professional leagues in Australia, particularly the Australian Football League (AFL) and later the AFL Women's (AFLW) through the Irish Experiment which is ongoing. It attracts a television audience, particularly the AFLW competition through TG4. There are two governing bodies, AFL Ireland and AFL Northern Ireland, with teams and competitions in Belfast, Cork, Dublin, Galway and Killarney. The game in Ireland is typically played in a modified 9-a-side footy format on rectangular fields.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Castlebar Celtic F.C.</span> Irish association football club

Castlebar Celtic F.C. is an Irish association football club based in Castlebar, County Mayo. They currently play in the Mayo Association Football League. They have previously fielded teams in the League of Ireland U20 Division, the A Championship and the Connacht Senior League. The club previously operated a women's team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carnacon</span> Townland in Connacht, Ireland

Carnacon or Carrownacon is a village, townland and area in central County Mayo, Ireland. It is situated about 12 miles (19 km) from Castlebar, and is about 8 miles (13 km) from Claremorris and Ballinrobe.

The 2007 All-Ireland Senior Ladies' Football Championship Final featured Cork and Mayo. Cork completed a three in a row of All-Ireland titles. Valerie Mulcahy scored 2–1 as Cork won 2–11 to 2–6. Mulcahy scored her first goal from the penalty spot just before half time. The decision to award the penalty was described as "questionable" and was only confirmed after the referee, Eugene O'Hare, consulted with his umpires. The penalty gave Cork a 1–6 to 0–3 half time lead. Cork were leading by 12 points when Cora Staunton and Fiona McHale scored two goals in the final minute, making the final score look more respectable for Mayo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Castlebar Celtic W.F.C.</span> Irish association football club

Castlebar Celtic W.F.C. is an Irish association football club based in Castlebar, County Mayo. The club is the women's section of Castlebar Celtic and has entered teams in the Women's National League, the Mayo Women's Football League and the FAI Women's Cup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ciara Grant (footballer, born 1993)</span> Irish footballer (born 1993)

Ciara Grant is an Irish physician and professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Hibernian of the Scottish Women's Premier League and for the Republic of Ireland national team. Grant has previously played for Raheny United, UCD Waves and Shelbourne of the Women's National League, and for Women's Premiership club Sion Swifts. Immediately prior to joining Hearts, Grant played for Rangers.

The Mayo county ladies' football team represents Mayo in amateur ladies' Gaelic football. The team competes in inter-county competitions such as the All-Ireland TG4 Senior Ladies Championship and the Lidl Ladies National Football League as a member of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association.

The Mayo Women's Football League is a women's association football league featuring teams from County Mayo. It is the sister league of the Mayo Association Football League. It has previously been known as the Mayo Ladies League. The league is a summer league, beginning in March and ending in September. In 2015 the league was sponsored by Artec Facilities Management, a company based in Belmullet. Teams from the league also compete for the Mayo Cup, the Mary Walsh Cup and the Mayo Shield. They also enter the Connaught Cup and the WFAI Intermediate Cup. The league's representative team won the 2006 FAI Women's Cup and then represented the Republic of Ireland in the 2007–08 UEFA Women's Cup.

Davitt College is a mixed vocational secondary school located in Gorteendrunagh, Springfield, Castlebar, County Mayo, Republic of Ireland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laura Duryea</span> Womens Australian rules footballer

Laura Duryea, previously known as Laura Corrigan and also referred to as Laura Corrigan Duryea, is a women's Australian rules footballer best known for her professional career with Melbourne in the AFLW and for representing Ireland multiple times in the Australian Football International Cup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sarah Rowe</span> Irish female footballer

Sarah Rowe is a triple code sportswoman. She is a former Republic of Ireland women's association football international. In addition to association football, Rowe has also played two other football codes at a senior level. She has played ladies' Gaelic football for Mayo and women's Australian rules football for Collingwood in the AFLW. At club level, Rowe has played association football for Castlebar Celtic, Raheny United, Shelbourne, Bohemians in the Women's National League and for Melbourne Victory in the A-League Women. Rowe was a member of the Republic of Ireland U19 team that won their group at the 2014 UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship and qualified for the semi-finals. In 2016, she was also a member of the Shelbourne Ladies team that won a Women's National League/FAI Women's Cup double. In 2023, she returned to association football briefly playing for Melbourne Victory and then for Bohemians.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sinéad Goldrick</span> Dublin senior ladies footballer

Sinéad Goldrick is an Irish dual code footballer, playing at the highest level in both Gaelic football and Australian rules football. She captained Dublin ladies in the 2014 All-Ireland Senior Ladies' Football Championship final and was a member of the Dublin teams that won the All-Ireland Senior Ladies' Football Championship in 2017, 2018 and 2019. She was also a member of the Dublin team that won the 2018 Ladies' National Football League. In 2019 she won her seventh All Star award. During the 2010s she was also a prominent member of the Foxrock–Cabinteely team that won Dublin and Leinster titles and played in All-Ireland finals. In October 2019 it was announced that Goldrick has agreed to play for Melbourne Football Club of the AFLW in 2020 and she won a premiership with the club in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aileen Gilroy</span> Australian rules footballer

Aileen Gilroy is an Australian rules footballer playing for Hawthorn in the AFL Women's (AFLW). Gilroy signed with North Melbourne as a rookie during the 2019 rookie signing period in August. She made her debut against Melbourne at Casey Fields in the opening round of the 2020 season.

Niamh Kelly is a gaelic football player who plays for Mayo and an Australian rules footballer who plays for Adelaide in the AFL Women's (AFLW). She has previously played for West Coast. She is the sister of St Kilda player Grace Kelly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grace Kelly (footballer)</span> Australian rules footballer

Grace Kelly is an Australian rules footballer who plays for St Kilda in the AFL Women's (AFLW). She has previously played for West Coast Eagles. She is the sister of Adelaide player Niamh Kelly.

Emma Hansberry is an Irish footballer and coach who plays for Women's National League (WNL) club Sligo Rovers. She previously represented Castlebar Celtic and Wexford Youths. An attacking midfielder, she has also represented the Republic of Ireland women's national team. In Gaelic football Hansberry played for the St Mary's club and her county, Sligo GAA.

Deirdre Doherty is an Irish dual code footballer who has played soccer for Women's National League (WNL) club Castlebar Celtic and the Republic of Ireland women's national team. She has also played inter county ladies' Gaelic football for her native Mayo, competing in the Ladies' National Football League and All-Ireland Senior Ladies' Football Championship.

Emma Mullin is an Irish ladies' Gaelic footballer and association footballer. In Gaelic football, she won the All-Ireland Senior Ladies' Football Championship four times with Mayo GAA. In association football, she has played for the Republic of Ireland women's national football team.

References

  1. 1 2 "Women in Sport: The Mayo And Footballing Legend – Cora Staunton". www.her.ie. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  2. ↑ "Cora Staunton (Mayo)". ladiesgaelic.ie. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  3. ↑ Cahill, Jackie (29 January 2016). "Evergreen Cora Staunton commits to another year in the Mayo jersey". www.rte.ie. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 "Cora Staunton". livingforsport.skysports.com. Archived from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  5. ↑ "Cora Staunton autobiography named Irish Sports Book of the Year". The 42. 28 November 2018. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  6. ↑ Cora Staunton makes football history in Australia from Connaught Telegraph 10 Jan 2022
  7. 1 2 "Fresher Staunton out to make final amends". www.independent.ie. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  8. 1 2 "Cora Staunton still determined to break down barriers". www.irishtimes.com. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  9. ↑ "Cork v Mayo – TG4 All-Ireland LSFC Final Photos". www.sportsfile.com. 7 August 2007. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
  10. ↑ "Mayo ladies make glorious history". www.mayonews.ie. 5 December 2006. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
  11. ↑ "Mayo Women's League History". inform.fai.ie. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
  12. ↑ "UCD v Mayo League – Womens FAI Senior Cup Final Photos" . Retrieved 12 March 2016.
  13. ↑ "Mayo Women for Europe!". www.castlebar.ie. 19 July 2007. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
  14. ↑ "Mayo Women's Soccer 2012". mayoladies.webs.com. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
  15. ↑ "Women aim for glory". www.mayonews.ie. 7 August 2007. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
  16. ↑ "Ladies ready to go". www.mayonews.ie. 7 August 2007. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
  17. ↑ "Ballyglass win FAI Umbro Women's Intermediate Cup". www.fai.ie. 4 September 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
  18. ↑ "Brave Aussie ladies like ewes to the slaughter in Ireland". www.worldfootynews.com. 14 November 2006. Archived from the original on 16 June 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  19. ↑ "Players Launch First Ever Ladies International Rules Test Series". ladiesgaelic.ie. 26 October 2006. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
  20. ↑ "Ireland v Australia – Ladies International Rules Series 1st Test Photos". www.sportsfile.com. 31 October 2006. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
  21. ↑ "Cora Staunton makes rugby debut". www.mayonews.ie. 24 September 2013. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  22. ↑ "Cora's a dab hand at rugby too!". hoganstand.com. 25 November 2013. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  23. ↑ "Nick Walsh, defensive coach". Greater Western Sydney Giants. Archived from the original on 27 October 2017. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
  24. ↑ Cordy, Neil (18 October 2017). "Gaelic football legend Cora Staunton joins Greater Western Sydney's AFLW team". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
  25. ↑ Cora Staunton: The greatest footballer playing in Australia that you've probably never heard of, ABC, 15 March 2018
  26. ↑ Cora Staunton set for Banshees as Irish eye Aussie Rules double by James O'Connor for the Irish Examiner 11 October 2018
  27. ↑ "Mayo legend Staunton scores 50th AFLW goal". Hogan Stand. 28 August 2022.
  28. ↑ "Cora Staunton announces retirement from AFLW after 50 games". Irish Independent . 27 March 2023.
  29. ↑ "Cora Staunton". Australian Football. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.