Camogie during the pandemic 'a godsend' for Down's Karen McMullan

'Of course it’s a disappointment not being in Croke Park but it’s something we can’t control and we knew about it months ago. It’s an All-Ireland final and we’re absolutely privileged and honoured to be there'

Down's Niamh Mallon, Paula O'Hagan and Karen McMullan celebrate the All-Ireland semi-final win against Meath. Picture: INPHO/John McVitty

She was a long time gone but the game never left her. Home couldn’t be extracted from the DNA.

So Karen McMullan came back. Ironically, her job as PE teacher at St Mary’s Secondary School in Glasnevin has taken the Liatroim Fontenoys star away once more, but that hurdle is a mere trifling to a 33-year-old heart and soul that is wedded to the red and black.