Famine is over but Tipp dream that the best is yet to come

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 win.

Karen Kennedy is a little more circumspect when it comes to speechifying than Richie Stakelum. So as she collected the trophy for captaining Tipperary to victory in the Very Camogie League Division 1A final, the county’s first national success since the 2004 All-Ireland, there was nothing like the fireworks that her compatriot delivered was presented with the Munster senior hurling silverware in 1987.

But the famine is over, indeed.

Mary Ryan joined the Tipperary panel in 2005, the season after they won the League and Championship double. She must have thought she was in for a garlanded career in blue and gold.

This is her first national medal and as the last person to go up the Hogan Stand and raise the cup aloft, the Moneygall maestro received the loudest cheer. She helped see things out after coming on for the last 15 minutes or so. And the hugs with her parents Eugene and Mary, were meaningful, and emotional.

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