WATCH: Sporting legends attend Limerick Ladies Breakfast Fundraiser ahead of the All-Ireland Final

IT WAS a morning of star studded guests at the Limerick Ladies Breakfast Fundraiser ahead of the All-Ireland Final.

Cora Staunton, who has 11 All-Stars, four All-Ireland titles with Mayo and a top goal scorer in Australia while playing AFLW from 2018 - 2023, was there to support the Limerick team noting the support that has grown for Ladies Football in Ireland. 

"It's amazing, I suppose since I started, 28/29 years ago, togging out for Mayo at U-14 level and then onto the senior team, it's just amazing to see how it's grown from my first All-Ireland, which was 1999, I think there was 15,000 at that All-Ireland and it's only then that the game was really growing, it started to be on television, obviously TG4 took her in 2001, its just grown and my last All-Ireland was 2017 and I think it had nearly 46,000, it's massive and it's massive to see that they get the exposure on their biggest day and teams get to tog out in Croke Park because that didn't happen and it's great to see that the six teams will compete on Sunday for three cups," she said. 

The decorated forward was part of a panel that included All-Ireland hurling champions Declan Hannon, Aaron Gillane and Irish and Munster Rugby player, Eimear Considine.

"I'm overwhelmed by it to be honest, I can't imagine how many people are in the room since 7 o'clock this morning to support the Limerick ladies on their journey to Croker on Sunday, 350 people in the room, it's amazing and it just shows where Limerick sport is at with the Limerick hurlers and now they are rowing in behind the footballers," she added. 

Rugby player and new mum, Eimear Considine, travelled from West Clare for the occasion which was held in the Woodlands Hotel in Adare. She began her sporting career with the Clare camogie and football team before switching to rugby at the age of 23. 

"It's amazing to have a room full of people supporting Limerick ladies this early in the morning time, it just shows the impact of women's sport on people, not just girls and boys but everyone, there's such hype around it in advance of the All-Ireland Final on Sunday," she explained. 

The fundraising event was only planned after the semi-final on July 22, with a thrilling 0-10 to 1-6 victory over Fermanagh in their TG4 All-Ireland Ladies Junior football semi-final at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park in Longford.

"They come in after work, they are tired, they're hungry, they've had tough days, they go out and they give an hour and a half of absolute mastery, full effort, you go out and watch a training session, the contact, the sprints, they come off the field and they are just spent, commitment is just incredible, I said it in my speech earlier on, they are inspiring, they really are, they'd give you energy just talking about them to be honest, I get goosebumps talking about them, they are just incredible," Chairperson of Limerick LGFA, PJ Kiely told the Limerick Leader. 

Limerick take on Down in the TG4 All-Ireland junior ladies football final at Croke Park on August 13.