Family fortunes for emerging Cork leader Emma Cleary

At just 22, Emma Cleary has become one of the leaders of a new generation of Cork talent carving out their own identity.

Cork provided us with a host of legendary figures during an unprecedented run of success that yielded 11 All-Ireland senior titles between 2005 and 2016, but a period of transition meant no All-Stars made their way Leeside last year.

From those dizzying All-Ireland heights – and having at least one All-Star in every selection between 2004 and 2021 – last year was their first without an individual representative.

But at the beginning of this season, it was clear that Cork manager Shane Ronayne was eager to give the future their chance in the national league.

The Rebels retained their minor title when they beat Galway in Nenagh last August, and those players soon began to emerge.

Abigail Ring, Rachel Leahy and Orlaith Cahalane have already made an impact on the scoring charts, while Aoife Healy has been added to the defence.

It will take another couple of years for these to fully establish themselves in the senior ranks, but acting as vice-captain, Cleary will be used to ease the step up.

"It is nice to get the responsibility, just being a voice for the players, and someone players can go to if they have an issue or a problem. It's nice to have that role," said Cleary.

"But there are so many leaders on the team anyway, it could be anyone. It is nice to have but there are so many leaders there already so it’s just kind of helping them out.

"Shane has given a few of the younger girls opportunities, either bringing them on or starting them in the League games. That is what the league is all about, to unearth a few new players. The likes of Aoife Healy, Orlaith Cahalane came on there against Dublin, scored a goal and