‘They kept chasing. Kept hoping. Kept believing’ – Dublin camogie bask in glory with first senior title in 41 years

The tulips were smiling at the edge of the town. There was a circus beside Doctor Cullen’s Park.

The SETU campus is further out the Kilkenny Road. It’s a fine venue. With a seated stand.

It was hosting the Very National Camogie League Division 1B final between Dublin and Wexford.

The omens were good for the Dubs. St Vincent’s had won the Leinster Championship there a couple of years ago.

The sun made an appearance. But there was a heavy pre-match shower.

“I’m running for my umbrella,” said the car park official.

“Where would we be without the rain,” quipped his colleague.

A Wexford fan was wearing a Mexican hat. Kate Kelly and Louise O’Hara were doing pitch-side interviews.

It was the first match for the new Camogie President, Brian Molloy.

At the presentation, he mused: “Here’s a good question for a table quiz.

“Which county received the first trophy that was presented by the first male President of the Camogie Association?”

Aisling Maher stood beside the Cup. Dublin had won, 2-10 to 2-8.

In his match preview, Daragh Ó Conchúir wrote that the group meeting between the sides had been “an absolute treat”.

This duel was akin to the finest serving of afternoon tea at the Shelbourne.

“It was a fantastic match,” declared the history-making President.

The atmosphere crackled. “They are still streaming in,” remarked a woman as the late-comers searched for a spare seat.

Some of the passing locals looked in over the far wall, and through the railings.

They were witnessing Dublin’s first senior title in 41 years.

On the final whistle, there was an outpouring of joy. And there were tears.

The spectators raced onto the pitch. Embracing the players.

Telegrams of congratulations came over the wires.

Dublin had been waiting a long time for their ship to come in.

There were thoughts for Wexford too. They had made such a generous contribution to a classical contest.

Mags D’Arcy is the Dublin goalkeeping coach. She played on the great Wexford All-Ireland winning teams in the noughties.

Dublin manager, Gerry McQuaid, was part of the Wexford management back then.

And now this success has rippled the waters of the Liffey once more.

It was Dublin’s resilience that brought them through. They never gave up. And, sometimes, that’s enough.

With four minutes left, Ciara O’Connor drilled in a goal for Wexford. That score would have crushed most teams. But not this Dublin side.

They kept chasing. Kept hoping. Kept believing.

Three minutes of additional time were announced. And it was then that Grace O’Shea produced the jackpot shot.

She had sent over three elegant points before that. She was rewarded with the player-of-the-match award.

There were many contenders. Every inch mattered. The brilliant first half steal from Niamh Gannon as Wexford drove for goal.

Or the two superb catches from Kerrie Finnegan. Playing splendidly at left half-back. But who can also fit so comfortably into a forward’s shoes.

Elyse Jamieson-Murphy the same. She can play anywhere. Versatility is written all over her boots.

She’s the perfect example of playing for the team. And that was the approach that Dublin needed to bring home the gold.

“It was heart-stopping stuff,” reflected Dublin coach, Bill McCormack.

“It looked like we had it. Then it looked like Wexford had it. We just managed to come back and get over the line.

“It was just one of those games. Anybody could have won it.

“We just got that bounce of the ball at the vital time. It was such a brilliant game. You could sense the energy coming from the crowd.

“Every player on both sides that started and who came off the bench gave it everything.”

Referee, Barry Nea, applied the advantage rule superbly.

There was such an intensity to the tussle. And a sporting spirit too.

After one moment that sparked strong debate, a Wexford mentor put his arm around the shoulder of the linesman, Mark Murphy.

Sustained applause greeted the players at half-time. They had been level five times. And once again after the break.

In the game’s first breath, O’Connor had cracked a stinger to the Dublin net. It was 1-4 to 0-7 at the interval.

Wexford were two points ahead when Sinéad Nolan, from the right on the stand-side, struck a precious point for Dublin. O’Shea then equalised on 50 minutes.

A minute later, came one of the big turning points. Nolan, again from the right, lofted another high effort towards the back post. And this time, it dipped at the last second and found the sack.

The Dubs ahead by three - 1-10 to 1-7. O’Connor replied with a free. And then arrowed a goal of such power that the sliotar actually wedged in the stanchion.

The day looked done. Even dusted. But then Dublin broke again.

Aisling O'Neill sent in a delivery. The outstanding Nolan foraged for possession. O’Shea was on her shoulder. No better woman. The net danced. And so did the Dubs.