Cora Staunton has handed Mayo a massive boost by committing to a 22nd successive season of intercounty fare – but admits that she agonised over her decision.
The Carnacon superstar, a ten-time All-Star, returned to training with the Westerners last Friday night and is available for selection ahead of Sunday’s Lidl Division 1 opener against champions Cork in Mallow.
Staunton, who made her Mayo debut in 1995, isn’t the only vastly-experienced player back on board this year as goalkeeper Yvonne Byrne, defender Helena Lohan and versatile Martha Carter have also vowed to continue.
In addition, Mayo boss Frank Browne has welcomed back a host of young players who were absent last year back into his squad. Sarah Rowe, twins Clodagh and Ciara McManamon, Carol Hegarty, Amy Bell, Leona Ryder have all returned and Aileen Gilroy has fully recovered from a cruciate knee ligament injury.
Staunton considered her own future since Carnacon exited the club championship last October but the 34-year-old attacker believes that the time is right to return.
The four-time All-Ireland senior medallist reflected: “It was definitely a tough decision and played on my mind. Since we got knocked out of the club, I was very 50-50 but management didn’t put any pressure on me at all. I know that if I wanted to go back, I should go back now rather than the middle of the League."
“You’re either in or you’re out and the longer I stayed away, I’d probably have asked myself what’s the point going back in March or April but now I can get a good League campaign under my belt. The body is still in good shape but I have other commitments in life and it’s getting more difficult."
“There’s a few of us at that age, around a good while, and while any decision is very individual and based on your own life, we considered what each other was doing as well.”
Claire Egan has yet to confirm whether or not she is returning to Mayo but as things stand, there are no official retirements from the camp.
And Staunton is pleased with the return of Browne for a second year at the helm.
She added: “Again, it’s consistency. We have the same management team as last year and quite a few more into the backroom staff to make us stronger. There was a long winter to get a long of things in place, a lot quicker than last year, as Frank was only appointed in January. A lot of girls took a break last year too, going on J1s and other sports might have taken priority but the panel is a lot stronger and the management too.
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
