Beforehand, talk of the impact of three consecutive Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Senior Final losses, the five reverses in seven seasons, and for many of the players, six in seven appearances on the biggest stage, was batted away.
The past had no impact on the present.
But now, with a 1-14 to 1-11 triumph over Galway, and a companion to the 2016 triumph at last, only Kilkenny’s second title since 1994, the truth could be acknowledged in the public domain.
It wasn’t the fear of being the first county to lose four deciders on the trot that drove them though. Just knowing the pain of each one and the damage it had done.
“The devastation these girls have gone through”, noted a relieved manager Brian Dowling afterwards.
The former Kilkenny hurler had been brought into the fold by Ann Downey last year, her parting gift to a group of players she moulded and mothered over a decade.
“Going back into the dressing-room last year after losing to Galway was absolutely cruel, going back to the Red Cow Hotel, all the parents there and everyone crying. Where do we go from here?”
“We started back this year and some girls didn’t know whether they would come back. How could they face it again? A few long conversations with girls and they came back. I am so proud of them girls, the heartache they have gone through. I am over the moon now.”
Dowling agreed with much of the perceived pre-match analysis, that Kilkenny would have to hit a level they hadn’t managed before.
“We knew Galway were a brilliant team, they have been great All-Ireland champions. I said it all week this had to be our best performance of the year or we wouldn’t be winning. And I think we did.
“I was stressed. There has been a dark cloud hanging over this team for the last few years. It has finally been lifted now. It is so hard losing All-Ireland Finals. You analyse everything and look at everything. Just to get over the line. We didn’t care if we win it by two points to one.
“We learned a lot from last year’s Final. Galway probably got the better of us in the breaking ball. Long puck outs. They got in for three goals. They got in for one today and it was the only goal chance they had.
“We re-arranged our backs a bit different this year and they were comfortable moving around as well and I thought they were absolutely tremendous today like they were the last day in Cork.”
“This win means an awful lot”, noted Dowling. “We got a huge send-off from Kilkenny today. Thanks so much to all the parents and families. It is disappointing they can’t be with us here. I’m sure they were shouting at the tellies in Kilkenny. Whenever we get to see them, they will be delighted. They can be very proud of the girls. They are the people who surrounded them girls when they were disappointed.
“We are All-Ireland champions and we are going to enjoy it.”
Match report provided by Daragh Ó Conchúir at Croke Park for the Camogie Association.
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