‘That’s important’ – Dublin veteran Emma Flanagan hopes fans turn up to support Sky Blues in Division 1B final

It's two finals in quick succession for the Dubs. Last month, the Dubs were in the Division 3B final at The Ragg, where they beat Limerick.

The fact that the flagship team are now also in a final has added an extra splash of optimism to the banks of the Liffey.

“It was great to see the success of the Division 3 side,” says Emma Flanagan.

“Silverware is always a boost. It’s all about developing camogie in the county.”

Emma has done more than her bit in that regard. She has been playing for the Dublin seniors since 2010.

“I think I came on as a sub against Kilkenny,” she smiles.

She’s the Dublin full-forward. And a good one.

Alongside her are two elegant corner-forwards, Grace O’Shea and Aisling O’Neill.

They are an artful duo that only need half a yard to have a pop for the posts, with Emma’s intelligent play so often opening the door.

The last day at O’Toole Park against Antrim, Emma showed all her craft, making clever runs, creating space and using possession so simply. And so wisely.

Dublin’s win that afternoon ensured they’d make the final.

Dublin and Wexford finished the group on 12 points each after the five games. Both winning four and losing one.

Dublin met Wexford in their opening fixture in the picturesque village of Oulart.

Mick Jacob was there, a legend of the ash. He carries his fame as lightly as a toothbrush.

His daughter, Ursula, was also among the attendance. She, too, could skim the sliotar across the Slaney. She’s a pundit these days. As perceptive off the field as she was on it.

Wexford won that contest by four points. “We made a slow start and we just weren’t able to recover from it,” reflected Emma Flanagan.

“We played well in the second half, but we just couldn’t bridge the gap.

“We’ll aim to have a sharper start this time and, hopefully, push on and get over the line.

“Since being relegated last season, our big motivation was to get back to Division 1A.

“We have been taking it step-by-step. And it would be great if we could go straight back up.”

She’d love to hear the crowd singing for the Blues.

“Yes, that would be brilliant. Hopefully, we’ll get good support.

“That’s important because it’s a big following that can turn these days into special occasions.”

Last summer, Dublin defeated Wexford in a crucial tie in Parnell Park.

There were three points in it. That result ensured Dublin’s place in this season’s Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Senior Championship.

Like in Oulart, Wexford full-forward Ciara O’Connor made hay in Donnycarney.

She is one of the finest number 14s in the sport. From play and the placed ball, she excelled the last day.

She also produced the pass of the season that created Wexford’s first goal for Emma Tomkins. The ball catapulted off Ciara’s timber like an arrow.

Since then, Dublin have moved around the furniture. Captain Aisling Maher has retreated to centre half-back from her customary centre half-forward slot.

She has settled into the role as comfortably as stepping into an old pair of carpet slippers.

Her reading of the play is superb. And she’s still making a substantial contribution on the score-board with her frees and also from play.

Kerrie Finnegan has also switched from attack into the half-back unit, with defender Orla Gray swapping the number 3 jersey for the number 11 shirt.

The Dubs have a compact look about them. And against Antrim, Dublin’s defence kept the shutters and the blinds down.

“We have a talented squad this season,” remarks Emma. “There’s a lot of young players coming through.

“The quality is in the county. It’s all about keeping the young players playing.

“There’s a lot of distractions in life these days, so it’s vital to keep encouraging them.”

Emma was influenced by the exploits of Cork’s Briege Corkery and Rena Buckley.

“When I was growing up, I felt what they were doing was unbelievable. Dual players who won so many medals.

“They kept going. They stuck at it. They were such wonderful role models.”

Emma’s presence is helping to guide outstanding young performers like her Lucan Sarsfield’s colleague, Aoife McKearney.

Against Wexford in February, Aoife scored four points from play. One belonged in the front window of Weir’s on Grafton Street.

That game and the championship meeting last July, suggests that there’s not much between the sides.

It indicates that this final will certainly be worth the ticket price.

Both counties deserve their place in the choir balcony. But, unfortunately, only one of them will get to climb the stairs.