Eimear Ryan: Camogie belongs as another headline act on hurling's Electric Picnic

Staging the camogie final the night before the hurling decider made it feel less like a curtain-raiser and more like a fellow headliner

Kilkenny players celebrate at the final whistle after winning the All-Ireland camogie title. Picture: INPHO/Ryan Byrne

At the final whistle in Croke Park on Saturday night, the pent-up emotion of the last nine months were plain to see in the faces and body language of those involved, from Brian Dowling’s exuberant leps to the frustration etched across the faces of the Galway defenders. It’s been quite a year, and on a night like this, all the joy, pain and catharsis comes pouring out.

At least three players on the pitch — Sarah Dervan, Niamh Kilkenny and Collette Dormer — had to postpone their weddings this year. Caitriona Cormican and Grace Walsh are among the squads’ frontline healthcare workers. Katie Power was there on crutches; Kellyann Doyle was back playing after tearing her cruciate in March.