Dowling: I am so proud of them December 13, 2020 By Daragh Ó Conchúir at Croke Park Beforehand, talk of the impact of three consecutive Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Senior Final losses, the five reverses in seven seasons, and for many of the players, six in seven appearances on the biggest stage, was batted away. The past had no impact on the present. But now, with a 1-14 to 1-11 triumph over Galway, and a companion to the 2016 triumph at last, only Kilkenny’s second title since 1994, the truth could be acknowledged in the public domain. It wasn’t the fear of being the first county to lose four deciders on the trot that drove them though. Just knowing the pain of each one and the damage it had done.