The TG4 Ladies Football Championship final takes place this Sunday, the 24th of September. Crowd numbers at the final have exploded in the past decade. Last year’s final broke the record for attendance with over 34,000 flocking to Croke Park to see Cork win their 11th title in 12 years.
This year, we'll have a new champion though with last year's beaten finalists Dublin (also the only team to win a title in the last 12 years) taking on Cora Staunton and Mayo in a repeat of last weekend's men's final. Staunton, incredibly, is going for her 5th All-Ireland title, despite not winning one since 2003. While her supporting cast is more than capable for Mayo this year, Staunton's role is still huge, with her scoring 1-6 in the surprise defeat of Cork in the semi final.
It is easy to see why crowds are growing in the game over the last 10 years or so. Here are five clips which will show you why you need to get behind the women’s game and go to this year's All Ireland Final. Get your tickets now!
Niamh Holland's thunderbolt
Limerick scooped the Division 4 league title last season. They made sure of victory with this stunning goal rocketed into the top corner by Niamh Holland. Niamh Richardson had made a break from deep, slalomed by a couple of tackles and tearing off down the pitch. She popped a pass into Holland who unleashed a thunderbolt of a strike.
Kim Connors apes Gordon Banks
Wicklow beat Roscommon in the preliminary round of the 2016 championship. Amy Murphy blasted home all four goals but they were also aided by this Gordon Banks-ian save from goalkeeper Kim Connors. Roscommon's Jenny Higgins could have been forgiven had she already began to pull away celebrating...
Caroline O'Hanlon Solo Score
There are some great goals in here from this year's league, but for us, Caroline O'Hanlon's solo goal for Armagh against Monaghan stands out. Pure domination from the midfielder!
Meghan Glynn's one-two goal
Meghan Glynn picks up the ball outside the 40, rounds a defender, plays a one-two and slips the ball past the keeper. Delightful stuff.
Cora
The Pele of Ladies football is in only her 23rd season as a Mayo player. While Mayo haven't won an All-Ireland since 2003, Cora still racks up ridiculous scorelines on a regular basis. In a club game not so long ago, she scored 9-12.
Here is a more subdued performance from Staunton against Tyrone in 2015. She managed 2-10 that day.
Wouldn't be surprised to see more of the same this Sunday.
The 2014 All-Ireland Final Comeback
With over 34,ooo in Croke Park last year, Cork came from behind to win by just a point in a low scoring, defensive affair. The year before, a strong second half performance saw them again overcome Dublin, this time two points.
It was the 2014 final though that truly showed what the game of Ladies' Football has to offer.
Trailing by 10 points with 15 minutes to go, the great Cork team rallied and broke Dublin hearts with complete a stunning victory and win by 2-13 - 2-12.
This year, the Dubs, still haunted by the heartbreak of losing the last three finals, go into their fourth in a row, and this time, it's not Cork who wait for them.
Will there be a change of fate?
