REACTION: Incredible day for one of Tipperary's greatest stalwarts

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.

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 when presented with the

Munster senior hurling silverware in 1987. Regardless, the famine for Tipperary camogie in this competition is over.

Karen Kennedy has long represented Thurles Sarsfields in the blue and gold of Tipperary with distinction and she added another chapter to the illustrious history of the club last Sunday, with her goal early in the second half proving to be a vital score come the final whistle.

“It was just about being in the right position at the right time.

“It was all about others creating the chance for you and for me, just finishing it off was the main thing and I was happy I was able to contribute to the scoring,” she said humbly.

Walking up the steps of the Hogan Stand to accept a cup as Tipperary captain is a dream of any player in the Premier who takes up Gaelic Games, and Kennedy is no different as she admitted she couldn’t quite believe it had finally happened.

“It’s absolutely unbelievable,” she smiled. “I still can’t believe that we’re after doing it and it’s a huge privilege to do it on behalf of the whole team; it’s unreal.”

Kennedy has primarily played as a defender in her time at intercounty level but her utility on Sunday was a huge help to Tipperary winning the game, causing havoc in the inside forward line.

However, despite a more than profitable showing in the game where she scored 1-3 from play, the Thurles Sarsfields player admitted that she is still learning the ropes in her new role that looks like a match made in heaven so far.

“I’m probably not that used to the forwards at the minute so I’m still really getting to grips with it.

“You probably get a bit more freedom up there but I’d say the rest of the forwards do be cursing some of the things I do be doing at times,” she laughed.