Staunton: It will be a game of Inches

REIGNING champions Carnacon from Mayo appreciate the challenge they can expect from Cork and Munster champions Inch Rovers in tomorrow’s VHI Healthcare All-Ireland ladies football senior club final in Tullamore (2.30pm).

It’s a repeat of last year’s decider, and star performer Cora Staunton and her team-mates only have to look back to the 2005 decider when they lost to Donaghmoyne from Monaghan.

Of course, the pairing has the added appeal of renewing Cork-Mayo rivalry. Cork scored a shock win in the 2005 All-Ireland semi-final before going on to win the first of four consecutive titles and they will again be favourites going into the 2009 championship.

“Reading different match reports, it’s clear that they have come on a lot since last year,” says Staunton. “Mary O’Connor is back after missing the final because of injury and that will be a huge boost to them. We know it’s going to be a tougher game; having lost the final the year before, a team coming back will be a lot more hungry.”

Players on both sides know each other from college and recent All Stars tours to Dubai and Singapore, and Staunton agrees that it leads to friendships being formed off the field. But, for 60 minutes these will be put to one side.

Angela Walsh, who swaps her county position at full-back for the number six jersey, vividly remembers the feeling of dejection the east Cork side experienced last year. It was their first year at senior, having caused a big surprise by knocking out 2003 All-Ireland champions Donoughmore, before going on to beat St Vals in the decider.

“We thought that everything after our win over Donoughmore would be a bonus, but it was very disappointing to lose the All-Ireland final. We definitely didn’t play to our potential. We know they are unbelievably strong, but we are wiser this time.”