Staunton ready to inspire Mayo

Women's Football/All-Ireland Semi-finals: Mayo have the outstanding forward of the championship in Cora Staunton but, though…

Women's Football/All-Ireland Semi-finals:Mayo have the outstanding forward of the championship in Cora Staunton but, though they have recorded some impressive victories, questions remain as to whether this Mayo side are the real deal.

Staunton has scored an incredible 2-36 in Mayo's four games so far but apart from the Carnacon forward very little is firing up front for Mayo.

Tyrone surprised many people by dumping last year's finalists Armagh out in the last round. They have their own star in Gemma Begley, who scored 3-6 in her last outing, but they will have to negate Staunton's threat if they are to progress.

Mayo should have enough experience to see them through to their first final since 2003, but Tyrone will run them close if they can start well.

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Meanwhile in the intermediate semi-final, Clare, who emerged from group two with three good wins under their belt, are a young team punching way above their collective weight. The Banner brushed aside Westmeath in the quarter-final and will be confident of taking on Leitrim.

Leitrim played only two games in the group stage but, significantly, one was a win over Wexford, who have already booked their place in the final.

Last year's junior finalists know what it takes to get to a final in Croke Park and this experience will probably see them through.

MAYO: Y Byrne; S McGing, H Lohan, N O'Shea; C O'Hara, M Carter, C McGing; C Egan, C McDermott; C Heffernan, C Staunton, F McHale; L Cafferkey, N Tierney, A Herbert.

TYRONE: E Mallaghan; S McLaughlin, M Kelly, C McGlinchey; S McGarvey, L Donnelly, K Meehan; L Meehan, S Donnelly; A Dooher, E Gormley, K Murphy; J Donnelly, G Begley, C Donnelly.

IF: Clare v Leitrim

Today, Breffni Park, 5.15pm

SF: Mayo v Tyrone