Staunton now oval the worst
CORA STAUNTON is relieved to have a competitive game under her belt as she familiarises herself with the round ball once again.
After her first season playing Australian Rules with the Great Western Sydney Giants, 35-year-old Staunton took time off to recover from surgery she had on the nose injury she suffered Down Under.
But after a full 60 minutes for Mayo in the Connacht final defeat to Galway, Staunton is excited by the All-ireland Series ahead.
The Carnacon player confirmed she will return to Australia later this year but is focused on maintaining her ever-present Championship run with Mayo which stretches back 22 years and 68 games.
After taking some time to some to terms with playing with an oval ball in the AFL, Staunton said it didn’t take her long to acclimatise to playing her natural game again.
She kicked six points for Mayo last weekend but also uncharacteristicly fired a handful of efforts off target.
Staunton admitted: “Coming back in, changing ball and things like that, it took me a little while to get up to the pace of the game. But I am back six or seven weeks now. We have a few challenge matches under our belt too.
“But nothing prepares you for the heat of battle and Championship matches. It’s good to get 60 minutes or more under my belt there. It’s a change of a game but I enjoy being back.
“The fitness is fine, skillswise is probably the biggest thing – going from the oval ball back to the round ball.”