When you haven’t done it in so long and had blow after devastating blow delivered, this is the way to win, to end a hoodoo.

Starting nervously, slowly. Falling six points down and hanging on, with Galway threatening a goal that could finish it early and perhaps open the floodgates.

Clawing back, moving ahead, looking like posting the famous victory and then being dragged back as the Galway version of the bomb squad comes in.

Hurler of the Year Niamh Kilkenny. One of the best forwards in the land, Niamh Mallon. Athletic powerhouse, Niamh Hanniffy.

Mallon, the former Down star scores with her first touch and hits three points. Another glorious defeat is on the horizon.

But no, they hit the front again via Karin Blair’s 59th-minute point. Then defend like far more than their lives are at stake.

Tipperary won by a single point and broke the stranglehold of major titles that Cork, Kilkenny and Galway have held for over a decade.

The last time a team from outside of that trio won was the Championship in 2012 and the League in 2011 when Wexford emerged victorious.

This was Tipperary’s first national success since the 2004 All-Ireland.

“It’s important to celebrate days like today,” said Mary Ryan, playing her 20th year on the panel. “We know that there’s a big Championship to come and that’s ultimately what we want. But to have these moments with our supporters… My mam and dad there. For 20 years they’ve been travelling to every game. Never miss a game. This squad has had its ups and downs and it’s just lovely to have moments like this and hopefully we can build on it and take it into Championship.”

It could have gone very wrong as Galway moved six clear with 21 minutes gone And then, in that period down the stretch where the Tribeswomen recovered from losing their own skipper Róisín Black to injury and the Karen Kennedy goal soon after to peg back a four-point deficit. But Tipp weren’t having it.

“That’s the strength in the squad now. We have been through those tough games. We’ve fallen short and had to dig deep. To come back like that, and then with such a close game, the resilience is in the team now. This is a strong, experienced squad now. It’s a massive boost. We’ve a huge Championship to go.

“To even reach today was a great end to the League but to come out of it with silverware, after a tough game; getting over Galway in Croke Park – a huge battle – we’ll take it into Championship. We have to have full belief in ourselves now.

“We’ll celebrate today but we’ll be straight back in during the week because we know ultimately, what does it mean if we don’t produce in the summer.”

There was drama across the country with Dublin beating Wexford by a single point with an injury-time goal in the Division 1A final and Armagh also beating Laois by the same minimum margin in Division 3. Westmeath completed the roll call with a victory over Derry iun the earlier game played at Croke Park.

 

Sport for Business Perspective:

The Finals of Division 1 and 2A were played in Croke Park yesterday and while the Dublin Vs Meath Senior Men’s Football drew a smaller than expected crowd it still presented an opportunity for a greater number of people to see a dramatic and skilful game of Camogie.

Later this week we will have new Camogie Association President Brian O’Neill on the Sport for Business Podcast.

 

The Camogie Association are full members of the Sport for Business community.

 

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