Staunton sparkles for Mayo

MAYO...1-13 CORK...1-11: An enthralling league final was won by All-Ireland champions Mayo in dramatic fashion at Pearse Stadium, Galway, yesterday. Outsiders Cork led for over half an hour but were worn down by Mayo's experience, hunger and individual brilliance.

Cora Staunton underlined her reputation as the finest finisher in the game with a tally of 1-10.

After only seven minutes Staunton had popped over three points, from frees. Mayo looked at home in the open spaces as Cork chased shadows. But then it all began to unravel for Mayo.

Geraldine O'Flynn, Angela Walsh and Valerie Mulcahy fired over Cork points in an eight-minute spell and the sides were level at the end of the first quarter.

Cork's Rena Buckey was a persistent threat at wing back and it was her pass that unlocked the Mayo defence. Racing in behind the cover was Amanda Murphy and the finish was decisive. Cork led for the first time, 1-3 to 0-3 on 17 minutes.

Their advantage grew to six points by the interval. Murphy tacked on a point before O'Flynn and Juliette Murphy did likewise to leave Cork ahead 1-7 to 0-4.

The second half was a different story. Staunton quickly whipped over two points, one from a free. By the end of the third quarter Mayo led with points from with Claire Egan, Claire O'Hara and Staunton.

Sandwiched in between was Staunton's 41st-minute goal, which ultimately swung the game. She and Diane O'Hora added late points to seal victory for Cork.

MAYO: L Connolly; N O'Shea, H Lohan, MT Garvey; C O'Hara (0-1), Y Byrne, E Biggins; C Egan (0-1), C Heffernan; E Reilly, M Carter, M Heffernan; E Mullin, D O'Hora (0-1), C Staunton (1-10). Subs: C McGing, J Moran, K Colleran, T McNicholas, A Gallagher.

CORK: E Harte; N Keohane, B Stack, E Walsh; A Murphy (1-0), A Walsh (0-1), R Buckley; J Murphy (0-2), N Kelly; V Mulcahy (0-3), A O'Connor, G O'Flynn (0-2); M O'Connor (0-3), R Curtin, B Corkery. Subs: H Kelleher, N Cleary, D O'Sullivan.

Referee: C Haughney (Carlow).