Croke Park date with live TV cameras something to relish for Emma Flanagan and her Dublin camogie teammates

They’ll play Kilkenny in the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Senior Championship quarter-final at Croke Park this Saturday (July 6, 12.30).

It will form part of the double-header with the Kilkenny v Clare All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship semi-final (3.0).

“It’s nice to be playing in Croke Park. It’s something to look forward to,” states Dublin’s Emma Flanagan.

“It’s not often we get the chance to play in such venues. A couple of weeks ago we played Cork at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, which is such a beautiful ground.

“Playing in stadiums like that adds so much more to the occasion.

“Now we are on the double bill with the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship semi-final.

“That’s a big day in the GAA calendar. It’s brilliant to be a part of that, and we are hoping that spectators will come early and watch our game.

“I feel that playing in places like Páirc Uí Chaoimh and Croke Park shows just how much camogie, ladies’ football, and women’s sport in general, have grown.”

Emma has seen the changes from the coalface. She has been playing with the Dubs for many years now.

Growing up, she marvelled at the exploits of the Cork dual duo, Briege Corkery and Rena Buckley.

Now she's the one inspiring the young Dubs. She brings such wisdom to the number 14 jersey. If she’s not lodging the money herself, she’s opening windows for her colleagues.

This season’s run has lifted the spirits. She has seen bleaker times.

Last year, Dublin were relegated from Division 1A. The aim was to go straight back up.

They did that. On a dramatic Carlow afternoon against Wexford, securing the Very National League Division 1B crown.

It was Dublin’s first senior success in over 40 years. The Division 3B League was also won.

Both squads train together. There’s a good spirit there. They pushed Kilkenny all the way in the Leinster final. Kilkenny won by five points.

It took place at Glenisk O’Connor Park, Tullamore in May.

“We took a lot of encouragement from that display,” reflected Dublin’s Bill McCormack.

Emma has always believed that the talent is in the county. It’s a matter of keeping them playing the sport and bringing them through.

Having something to polish in the trophy cabinet adds to the morale.

Being in Croke Park at the business end, and in front of the live RTÉ cameras, only helps the profile even more.

Emma is hoping a big Dublin support will walk down the Clonliffe and Jones’s Roads.

For Dublin, long term, it’s all about trying to keep up with the Joneses.

“We are happy with the season so far,” she notes. “Winning the league and now getting to the All-Ireland quarter-final represents progress.

“I think we have been improving all along. And growing with each game.

“Granted, we had a blip down in Cork. And they are definitely the benchmark.

“We didn’t perform. And Cork are so seriously fit, fast and skilful. They have set the standards where we need to get to.

“But after that match, it was all about parking the disappointment and looking ahead to the Down game. Our focus was all about getting the job done there.”

And that’s what Dublin did, having a comfortable victory in Kilclief last Saturday to earn a ticket to the last eight.

On the same afternoon, Tipperary pipped Kilkenny in a tremendous tussle at The Ragg to earn a semi-final seat.

“When we looked at our Group at the start of the season, we felt we had a good chance of getting results against Down, Clare and Wexford in our efforts to get to the quarter-final," explained Emma.”

Dublin won those three games, and they came near to toppling heavyweights, Galway, in their opening match of the campaign at Parnell Park.

“We played well against Galway. We almost managed to get something out of it.

“We were leading with ten minutes to go, but we just could get the late scores to see it out.

“Yet even though we lost it, we felt it was a positive start, and it was a performance that showed us that we were going in the right direction.”

Beating Wexford in Donnycarney was the pivotal moment. “That was such an important win.

“The couple of goals gave us confidence, and we managed to take control from there on in.”

Emma got a vital goal herself, right on the half-time whistle, pouncing on the edge of the square down at the church end.

As ever, she was in the right place at the right time.

Now, this weekend, she couldn’t be happier to be back in one of her favourite places of all.