Gemma Begley | Angela Casey | Annette Clarke | Nollaig Cleary
Edel Concannon | Katrina Connolly | Briege Corkery | Bernie Finlay
Lorna Joyce | Kate Leah | Fiona McHale | Sarah McLoughlin | Angie McNally
Valerie Mulcahy | Andrea Murphy | Juliet Murphy | Mary Nevin
Bronagh O'Donnell | Geraldine O'Shea | Grainne Smith | Cora Staunton
Aisling Tierney | Patrice Dennehy

2007 was a great year for Fiona McHale and her Mayo team-mates, winning the National League and making it all the way to the All-Ireland final where they
lost out to an in-form Cork side who completed a 3-in-a-row of titles. It was a fantastic achievement for a side that was re-building after last winning the All-Ireland title in 2003.

With Fiona at wing-forward, the Mayo women have been getting better with every game this year. They had a good win over Sligo in the Connacht final and they carried their good form into the Championship with a mighty win over Kerry at the quarter-final stage in a scoreline of 2-12 to 1-14. They met Monaghan in the semi-final and, despite scoring another 1-04, lost out on the dream of an All-Ireland date with Cork.

The 21-year-old Carnacon clubwoman has been integral to Mayo in the last few years and she is already looking forward to 2009, “It’s been a great year and we want to get back on top.” With Fiona and the likes of Cora Staunton around, anything is possible.

What is your greatest moment in sport?
My greatest moment in sport was when we won the All-Ireland Club title with Carnacon last November, beating Inch Rovers from Cork. It was a fantastic win
and I chipped in with a goal and a point. It was our second title after winning it in 2002 as well.

What is the toughest team you have come up against?
In the last few years it would have to be Cork. They have some fantastic individual players but they play really well as a unit. They beat us in last year’s All-Ireland final.

Who was the toughest opponent you ever played against?
It would have to be Cork’s Briege Corkery. She is so fast and one of the most determined players there is.

Which player do you admire the most?
My team-mate for club and county, Cora Staunton, is a fantastic player. Cora has done it all, one of the greatest footballers ever.

Who were your heroes growing up?
I was a big fan of Galway’s Michael Donnellan because he was brilliant but also cos he was a half-forward like myself.

What club do you play for and who are your biggest rivals?
I play for Carnacon and our biggest rivals are definitely Kilmovee and Castlebar. At national level it would be teams like Corofin from Galway and Cork’s Donoughmore.

What is the most important skill?
It would have to be passing. Always work on your passing in training, whether hand-passing or kicking, as keeping possession of the ball is all important.

What advice would you have for young players?
Keep practising and try to develop the weaker areas of your game.

What are your hopes for the future?
I just want to keep playing for as long as I can and hope to steer clear of any serious injuries. It goes without saying that I would love to win an All-Ireland title as well, let’s see.

NAME: Fiona McHale
AGE: 21
TEAM: Mayo
DEBUT: 2004 v Galway
POSITION: Half-Forward
HONOURS
2 All-Ireland Club titles,
1 National Football League title,
1 O’Connor Cup title,
1 Connacht Senior title,
6 Connacht Club titles,
7 Mayo Club titles,
1 All-Star Nomination.
CLUB: Carnacon
FAV FOOD: Stir-Fry
FAV BAND: Killers & Coldplay
FAV TV: Friends
HOBBIES: Soccer & Basketball
OCCUPATION: Student

CúlFACT:
Fiona won Gold, Silver and Bronze in U-12 Gaelic football at the Community Games from 1996 to 1998. Ladies football very own Olympian.