Veteran looks to exit in a blaze of glory

IT'S been a long but relentless climb up the camogie tree for Tipperary and captain Deirdre Hughes has been there every step of the way from the days of junior obscurity to almost perennial senior kingpins.

For 16 years Hughes has been donning the blue and gold. Half her life. Even in a sport where players are routinely promoted to their senior county teams whilst still in their mid-teens, it is a singular achievement.

The finishing line is in sight now, she insists. Sunday's All-Ireland final against old sparring partners Cork may be the stage on which she bows out of the game she has graced for so long.