Ladies to emulate their male counterparts.
GAA News 4 September 1996
Jonathan Mullin previews
Sunday's All-Ireland
Senior Ladies Semi-Final.
Hoping to join their male colleagues in an All-Ireland Final are the
Mayo Senior Ladies team who take on Laois in the All-Ireland Semi Final on
Sunday next in McHale Park at 3p.m.
Mayo also have an All Ireland League semi to look forward to after a narrow win over Carlow a month ago, but, in their first season at the helm, Ger Feeney and Willie Joe Padden have the Championship in their sights. They plan to name their starting fifteen after training in Clogher on Thursday evening.
A fruitful trip to Ruislip three weeks ago produced a comfortable win over London with Minor stars Sandra Malee, Edel Mullin, Edel Biggins and Cora Staunton along with Fionnuala Ruane being most impressive.
Connections have become increasingly optimistic after the superb showing of the under-18's in the All- Ireland Minor semi-final against Meath in Tullamore recently.
In what was probably one of the best displays by a Mayo underage team in recent years, the girls annihilated a useful Meath outfit with a show of power and skill. After an early injury to stalwart Jane Casey, they proved also that they have strength in depth. On Sunday, Mayo are likely to have too many resources for Laois.
Cora Staunton is currently in the best form of her short career ( she's only 14!) And the Laois defence will have to work overtime to stunt her considerable influence.
She is well supported in the forward line by fellow underage player Joyce O'Hara and possibly a new recruit in Edel Biggins who could yet make the move forward from centre half-back.
Skipper Annette Scott, Mary Morrissey and former Kerry inter-county star Fionnuala Ruane complete an impressive sextet.
THE HEFFERNAN SISTERS
A constant supply of ball from mid-field, courtesy of the indomitable Heffernan sisters - Christina and Marcella - ensured a good return on the scoreboard against London and should that be forthcoming on Sunday, Mayo should overcome Laois, a county that in the past has reached the final stages, most recently in 1991 when they went down to Waterford. Incidentally, Laois are expected to retain four of that team on Sunday.Apart from having an array of attacking options, Mayo have a strong defence. Denise Horan is one of the country's top goalkeepers and in front of her, don't be surprised if Diane O'Hora is named at full-back in a bid to curb Laois' main scoring outlet, Sue Ramsbottom.
O'Hora returned from a six week absence, due to broken fingers, to lead her club Castlebar to a County final where despite an outstanding performance from the Ballina woman, Castlebar were defeated by Hollymount.
Never one to shy away from her responsibilities, she will relish the challenge in store - provided she gets the go-ahead from the management duo.
Noreen Walsh and Rachel Barrett marshal the left wing - Barrett being a splendid addition to both the Minor and Senior teams.
The aforementioned Malee and Mullin haven't put a foot wrong during the campaign and will be expected to excel again on Sunday. In between these two, Ger Joyce is forecasted to fill the centre half-back role.
Mayo team:
Denise Horan, Edel Mullen, Ger Ferrick, Noreen Walsh, Sandra Malee, Edel
Biggins, Rachel Barrett, Marcella Heffernan, Christine Heffernan, Annette
Scott (captain) Joyce O'Hara, Colette Connolly, Fionuala Ruane, Mary
Morrissey, Cora Staunton.
Connaught Telegraph - News - September 1996
Connaught Telegraph - Sport - September 1996
