‘It was a fabulous victory… such a boost for the county’ – Dublin camogie boss Gerry McQuaid delighted with Division 3B title

George told his listeners that he went to see the Elvis Spectacular at the Belfast Grand Opera House.

He then played ‘The Wonder of You.’ The great man could well have been singing about Kay Ryder.

Kay won ten All-Ireland senior camogie medals with Dublin. Her grand-niece, Caoimhe Tierney, was playing for the Dubs in Saturday’s Very National Camogie League Division 3B final.

Dublin claimed gold, defeating Limerick, 1-10 to 1-3. The game took place at the home of Drom and Inch.

It’s situated in the village they call The Ragg. Local legend says that the name came during the War of Independence when a rag was placed on the door of a safe house.

A poster was advertising John B Keane’s ‘The Field’. Showers of rain fell on the lush terrain of the Golden Vale.

“There’s a real nip in the air,” remarked a gent as he took his place under the roofed terrace.

But by the finish, the sun had come out. And the Dubs were all smiles.

It was the first camogie adult trophy to return to the city since 2018 when the All-Ireland Premier Junior Championship title was won.

Shane Plowman managed that side as Emer Keenan and Deirdre Johnstone climbed the steps of the Hogan Stand to lift the Kay Mills Cup.

On Saturday, Niamh Gleeson held aloft the silver to a thunderous roar.

Tom Quinn was in the audience, supporting his daughter, Lauren. Tom was the goalkeeper on the famed Erin’s Isle side.

Also in the crowd was the brilliant Dublin senior forward, Issy Davis.

Dublin’s commanding centre half-back, Sinéad Murphy, collected the Player-of-the-Match award.

“It was a fabulous victory. Really fabulous,” said manager, Gerry McQuaid.

“And it means a lot. It’s such a boost for the county.

“We had eight minors involved today. That’s the future. That’s the progress that you are looking for.

“It’s all about bringing the girls through from minor to intermediate and then onto senior.

“Senior is the ultimate. That’s where it is at. The senior team is your flagship side.

“But this is a big day for Dublin’s second team. And I’m delighted for them.”

The breeze played all kinds of tricks with the sliotar. Limerick won the toss.

At the break, Dublin, attacking the score-board end, led by 0-9 to 1-3.

“We had the wind in the first half, so we were a little concerned, having conceded the goal,” explained Gerry.

“But our message at half-time was to relax, work hard and to just play our own game. We had been in such situations before.

“What a second half they produced. Our forwards didn’t let their backs out with the ball, and, likewise, we defended so well as a unit.”

So well in fact that Limerick didn’t manage a score in the second period.

Limerick’s goal in the 23rd minute was among the highlights of the hour.

Their full-forward, Ella Hession, got it. She had impressed all when Dublin had a narrow win in the Group stage in Blanchardstown.

Ella broke clear of the cover and raced in on goal. As George Hamilton might have warned: “Danger here.”

She cracked a shot so deep into the onion-sack that not even Brendan Cummins, or Jovita Delaney, would have saved it.

The Dubs’ ‘keeper Mia Farrell, had a fine game. Fast of feet and sure of hands.

Limerick had another superb performer in right half-forward Valerie Shanahan.

Early in the second half, she went on a stunning solo run down the right wing in front of the gallery. It injected a slice of electricity to the day.

Earlier on, Dublin’s Ciara Murphy treated the congregation to a delicious nugget of a point. “Wow,” exclaimed a voice in the crowd.

Dublin’s goal came in the 45th minute. Anna Sullivan scored it. It was the decisive moment.

Róisín Ní Chathasaigh sent over a tidy parcel of points. Gráinne Skelton decorated her overall offering with accuracy from the placed ball, while Kirsty Fenlon’s energy added so much to the Dublin display.

The Dubs kept putting in the hard yards, right till the last bell.

“We are all in training together with the seniors,” noted Gerry McQuaid. “And you can see that in the performance of the side.

“They are used to competing against the seniors. That brings them on. They are not out of their depth playing with the seniors.

“We have had a good campaign. It’s always nice to win a final when you have reached it.

“But now our focus will be on Leinster, and then the All-Ireland series.”

On their journey home, the messages of congratulation poured in. From all along the banks of the Liffey and even from across the water.

Maybe Lyric wasn’t playing on the bus, but Dublin’s Rock and Roll kids were in the mood to party.