Cora Staunton is an elite sportswoman: winner of four All-Irelands, 11 All-Stars and five Club All-Irelands. She is a trailblazer in the Australian Football League, and a hero in her native Mayo for her gaelic football skills. But it’s been a long and eventful road for Cora. When she was young, she was small for her age, and had to prove herself at every level: to the boys in her club, to the Mayo selectors who took a chance on her as a teenager, but most importantly to herself. From Croke Park to the stadiums of Sydney, Cora has proved herself to be a master of the game.
This is the story of how a young football-mad girl became a living legend. A story of female empowerment for younger readers.
Eimear Ryan is from Co. Tipperary and lives in Cork. She writes about sport for the Irish Examiner and is an editor for the literary journal Banshee. Her fiction and essays have appeared in Winter Papers, Granta, The Dublin Review, The Stinging Fly, Town & Country (Faber) and The Long Gaze Back (New Island). Eimear plays camogie for St Finbarr’s in Cork. She was never any good at Gaelic football but she loves watching the game. This is her first book for younger readers.
‘fun … both biographies are full of words of wisdom and inspiration for any budding athlete. Saying that, the right balance between sporting endeavours and the challenges of life beyond, enhance the appeal of the series to children without a significant interest in sport. For teachers, books of this genre will help you address the potential fiction/non fiction imbalance in your classroom and school libraries … it can only be hoped that these books are the first of many in this series
InTouch Magazine
GAA fans of 8+ will love
Irish Independent
very enjoyable … putting the reader in Cora’s shoes for all of the big moments, making them feel like they’re right there with her
Clare People
a great read
Mallow Star and Vale Star
Irish sports stars shine in a new series for young readers’ ‘will really resonate with readers of any football persuasion and none’ and Colm Cooper ‘promising new series’ ‘an inspirational tale of footballing achievement
Evening Echo
An amazing new series for young readers age 9+ celebrating the greatest Irish sports stars!
Primary Times
something for the young reader with a passion for GAA
Enniscorthy and Gorey Guardian, New Ross Standard, and Wexford People
Teaching Resources: free to view and download
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Teaching Guides:
Teaching guide to the book by Peter Heaney