Cork ladies take first step in the right direction

There is the slightest hint of mixed emotions ahead of Cork’s Lidl NFL Division One clash with Tipperary at Páirc Uí Rinn this evening (5pm).

Everyone welcome the fact that Ephie Fitzgerald’s side will provide the curtain raiser for the Rebels’ must-win Division Two game against Meath (at 7pm) but there is a tinge of disappointment too that the game is not going ahead at Páirc Uí Chaoimh as originally planned.

Incredibly, Cork ladies footballers have never played a competitive game at Cork HQ — and the wait for that will continue as the pitch undergoes repair work.

But what isn’t in doubt is the huge opportunity of playing on the same billing

as their male counterparts in terms of exposure and increasing their support base.

“Having double-headers won’t reduce the attendance for either teams, that’s for sure,” says 10-times All Ireland winner Valerie Mulcahy.

“It is the same people who are interested in both games. It is great to have two Cork teams playing alongside each other. You’d hope there would be good support for the ladies and that the supporters would come in earlier.

“I have seen some of the double-headers first hand. I was at Dublin and Donegal. You’d notice the more sizeable attendance. I will be at Dublin versus Mayo tonight in Croke and I expect there be a good crowd in for that as well.

“Up to now, you would have a big attendance at the All-Ireland final, but that would not be reflected in the rounds leading up to it. The spotlight is great for the women. They play a good brand of football and it is enjoyable to watch. The bigger crowd creates an atmosphere and there is definitely more buzz around the games than if they were standalone.

“The women are trooping off the field as the men are marching on. You are talking about local communities and players from the same families, so it is great they are playing side by side. It would have been lovely to see them play in Páirc Uí Chaoimh but circumstances meant it was outside their control.

Dual player Angela Walsh (nine-times All Ireland football and three-times All Ireland camogie medallist) admits tonight’s tie is a huge milestone for the girls.

“It has come about as a result of forward thinking between the GAA and Ladies Football. We would love to have had that opportunity in our time.

“It is brilliant to see it happen now. The new drive involving the 20x20 campaign is pushing for more bums on seats.

Before, it would be parents and boyfriends, they were the true supporters in our time. It is a bit disappointing that it is not Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

“They have waited so long to play there. It has been in the pipeline and a dream for many girls to play in such a big stadium at home in Cork. Then, for this to happen. At the same time, it is going to be great. And playing Tipperary, there is that bit of local rivalry. Shane Ronayne is managing them and he would love to put one over on Cork.”

Eight-times All Ireland winner Juliet Murphy views the double-headers as further progress. “They don’t usually get big support so this is an opportunity for them to showcase their skill. There has been a lot of talk about Páirc Uí Chaoimh. I don’t think it will take the gloss off the double-header given the fact it is being played in Páirc Uí Rinn. A pitch is a pitch no matter where it is, a green field with white lines. I’m a bit old-fashioned that way.

“Any player really focused on their own performance and getting the best out of themselves, won’t be extending their thoughts beyond that.

“People might be of the opinion that we were kept out of Páirc Uí Chaoimh but if we wanted it, it was there for us. We trained there before All Ireland finals.

“Our usual training base was The Farm (Curraheen Road) and that was a wonderful facility. The biggest problem I see with the women is they don’t support each other, and that has been said so many times before. It is very hard to expect men to support women when the women don’t support themselves. There will be women in Rome this weekend (for the Six Nations). I think it is more about the occasion for a lot of people.”

Cork v Tipperary will be broadcast live on

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