Latest news with #Flutter
Time Business News
2 days ago
- Time Business News
Advanced Features That Influence Flutter App Development Costs
Let's be real—when you're planning an app, the word 'features' gets thrown around a lot. 'We want a chat feature,' 'Can we add push notifications?' or the classic startup line: 'It should work offline too, obviously.' Sounds simple, right? Well… not quite. The truth is, every feature you dream up for your Flutter app is a decision that echoes in code complexity, development time, backend infra, and, yes—cost. And while Flutter does make it faster to build beautiful, cross-platform apps, the features you pack into it still determine how deep your pockets need to be. Now, here's the good news: Flutter is arguably one of the most efficient ways to ship feature-rich apps without losing your mind (or your entire budget). It's flexible, fast, and wildly developer-friendly. But even with all that going for it, some features are simply more 'expensive' than others—not just in terms of money, but also time, testing, and long-term maintenance. In this blog, we're going to unpack the advanced Flutter app development service features that most directly impact your app's cost. And we're not talking about generic fluff here—we're diving into the ones that show up again and again in real client projects, MVP launches, and scaling apps. Whether you're a founder, product manager, or just someone obsessing over your app idea on a whiteboard, this is your no-BS guide to understanding the features of Flutter app development that move the budget needle. Let's break it down. In today's app world, users expect things to happen the moment they tap. Whether it's live chat, food delivery tracking, or collaborative features like shared whiteboards—real-time interactions are no longer a bonus. They're baseline expectations. But building for real-time isn't just about speed. Behind that seamless experience is a layer of complexity: WebSockets or Firebase for live data sync, managing state across screens, and ensuring things still behave when network conditions are poor. These features aren't hard to implement with Flutter, but they're definitely not plug-and-play either. Real-time chat in a customer support flow? That requires backend logic, message queues, delivery receipts, and presence detection. Live tracking in a logistics app? You're looking at continuous location updates, battery optimization, and permission handling. Each one may look simple on the front end, but they add significantly to backend integration, testing scope, and maintenance overhead. Among the most common Flutter app development features, real-time functionality is a major driver of cost. It demands precision—both in how it's built and how it's scaled. The bottom line? Only go real-time if your users absolutely need it. Because once it's in, it sets the bar. And expectations only go up from there. Offline functionality seems like a no-brainer—especially in regions where internet access isn't always reliable. But what sounds simple ('make it work without internet') is anything but. When users go offline, your app needs to store data locally, track what's changed, and sync it back to the server once they reconnect. That's not just a matter of caching a few screens. It means building out conflict resolution logic, version control, and edge-case handling for half-synced data. Flutter does support local databases like Hive or SQLite, and pairing that with tools like Firebase can help—but even then, offline mode requires careful planning. The app has to be smart enough to queue user actions and play them back correctly later. This feature is especially common in field service apps, travel tools, and education platforms—anywhere users might go offline but still need to interact with content. Among all features of Flutter app development, offline mode is one of the most underestimated in terms of effort and cost. It requires backend coordination, extra testing scenarios, and UX safeguards to avoid user confusion. If offline access is essential to your app's success, it's worth investing in. But know this: it's not a fallback—it's a full feature. Flutter is known for its beautiful UI, and a big reason is its animation capabilities. You can animate just about anything—from subtle button hovers to complex onboarding sequences. And that's exactly where things get tricky. The more custom your animations are, the more effort they demand. That includes design time, dev time, and performance optimization. Animations need to be smooth across devices and screen sizes, which means constant testing and fine-tuning. Clients often assume animations are a 'nice-to-have' that won't affect the timeline. But in reality, even one animated screen can add days to a sprint. For example, an animated shopping cart interaction or a transition-heavy onboarding flow involves gesture detection, animation controllers, and memory-efficient asset handling. Of all Flutter development features, custom animations are the ones most likely to stretch scope without warning. They don't just add visual polish—they add engineering weight. That doesn't mean you should avoid them. When done right, animations elevate the user experience and make apps feel polished. Just don't underestimate the effort they bring. In the end, a slick animation costs more than it looks. Monetizing your app with in-app purchases sounds straightforward—until you dive into the details. Whether you're selling premium content, offering subscriptions, or unlocking features, there's a lot more to it than just adding a 'Buy Now' button. First, there's platform compliance. Both Apple and Google have their own in-app purchase (IAP) systems, each with strict rules, fee structures, and approval processes. You can't just use any payment gateway for digital goods—you have to play by their rules, and that means using their APIs. Then there's backend logic. You'll need to validate purchases, handle auto-renewals, manage refunds, and sync user entitlements across devices. Flutter does offer plugins to help—like in_app_purchase—but integrating them properly still takes time, especially when building subscription models. This is one of those Flutter app development features that sounds small but affects nearly every layer: UI, backend, testing, and long-term maintenance. It also adds extra effort around user account systems, since you'll need to track who owns what and for how long. If recurring revenue is core to your app, then yes, it's worth the complexity. But from a cost perspective, it's not a 'just add it in' kind of task. Everyone wants a 'smart' app these days. Whether it's a chatbot that can answer questions, a recommendation engine that personalizes content, or a voice assistant that responds naturally—AI is no longer futuristic. It's expected. Flutter apps can absolutely integrate AI features. You can connect to APIs like OpenAI, Gemini, or use Firebase ML Kit to bring intelligence into your app. But here's the catch: while the interface can stay clean, the logic behind AI features is anything but simple. Take a chatbot, for example. It's not just about sending and receiving messages—you need to manage conversation state, contextual memory, fallbacks, and potentially fine-tuned models. A recommendation engine? That means tracking user behavior, storing preferences, and running inference either on-device or via the cloud. The cost impact of AI features depends on how deeply you want to go. If you're using ready-made APIs, it's faster to ship but still requires integration effort and often comes with usage-based pricing. If you're training your own models or handling complex workflows, the effort jumps quickly. Among all features impacting Flutter app development cost, AI sits in a category of its own. It's powerful, exciting, and valuable—but definitely not lightweight. If it adds clear value to the user experience, go for it. Just don't assume AI = easy. Adding support for multiple languages seems like a thoughtful, global-minded feature—and it is. But as with most things in app development, it gets complicated fast. Translating labels is just the start. Real localization involves adapting date formats, currency symbols, units of measurement, text direction (for RTL languages like Arabic or Hebrew), and even visuals or layouts to match regional norms. The deeper you go, the more effort it takes. In Flutter, the intl package makes basic localization easier, but you'll still need a structured way to manage strings, handle fallback languages, and keep translations updated as the app evolves. It's not just a technical task—it often involves coordination with translators, linguists, or external services. For apps in sectors like education, travel, healthcare, or finance—where audience reach spans geographies—multi-language support is often essential. But it's one of those Flutter development features that multiplies the testing effort significantly. Every screen, flow, and interaction has to be verified across all supported languages. Localization adds polish and reach—but from a development standpoint, it adds layers. Plan for it early if you want to do it well. One of the reasons people love Flutter is the rich ecosystem of plugins. Need to add payments, maps, analytics, or authentication? There's probably a package for that. But here's what often gets overlooked: not all third-party integrations are created equal. Many plugins work well for simple use cases, but once your app needs deeper customization—or when the plugin hasn't been updated in a while—you may end up spending more time fixing things than if you built the integration from scratch. And when plugins break across iOS or Android updates, the maintenance cost becomes very real. Integrations with services like Stripe, Razorpay, Firebase, or Salesforce can seem straightforward, but if you're dealing with non-standard APIs, poorly documented endpoints, or strict compliance rules, the dev time adds up. And if you need offline fallback or background sync? That's additional complexity. This is one of those features impacting Flutter app development cost that feels deceptively small during planning. The truth is, the more integrations you add, the more external dependencies you have to manage—and test. Third-party plugins can absolutely speed up development, but only if they're reliable, actively maintained, and well understood by your dev team. Otherwise, they're just shortcuts that loop you back to square one. Often treated as an afterthought, admin dashboards are one of the most quietly complex Flutter app development features—especially when they're built custom. These panels control user data, content moderation, app settings, payments, and analytics. They aren't just 'backend views'—they're full apps of their own. Some teams try to skip this and manage things manually through databases or spreadsheets. That works for a while—until growth kicks in, or user behavior needs monitoring, or new permissions are required. With Flutter Web, you can technically build the dashboard using the same codebase, which is a big win. But it still requires proper routing, role-based access, data visualization, and sometimes third-party integrations like Stripe or Firebase Admin SDKs. So while dashboards aren't flashy, they're powerful. And they definitely impact development cost, testing scope, and long-term scalability. If your app will need internal controls or team-based workflows, plan this in from day one. It's not a bolt-on—it's a backbone. Building a feature-rich Flutter app doesn't have to be overwhelming. The real challenge isn't choosing how many features to include—it's choosing the right ones. Every advanced feature we've covered—real-time sync, offline mode, subscriptions, AI, animations, localization, third-party integrations—can bring real value. But they also come with real cost, both in terms of development effort and long-term complexity. That's why the smartest product teams don't just chase features—they chase end-product viability. They focus on aligning every feature with a business goal, a user behavior, or a market need. It's never about how much you can pack in—it's about what actually moves the needle. Agencies like Flutternest, who specialize in Flutter app development, often work with startups and growth-stage companies to make these decisions early—before features become expensive detours. That kind of clarity at the planning stage can mean the difference between a bloated app and a focused, high-performing product. Flutter gives you flexibility and power. But it's the intent behind your features that defines whether your app truly succeeds. So as you build, don't just ask what your app should do—ask why each feature belongs. That's where great apps begin. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Int'l Business Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Int'l Business Times
Piyush Chhabra Leading the Wealth Management Technology Transformation by Integrating Deep Linking, Router Frameworks, and AI Solutions
The wealth management industry is undergoing a digital transformation, with fintech innovators leveraging cutting-edge technologies to enhance user experience, accessibility, and efficiency. Among these innovators is Piyush Chhabra, a visionary tech architect who is redefining wealth management apps by integrating deep linking, advanced router frameworks, and artificial intelligence (AI). His approach is setting new benchmarks for seamless navigation, personalized financial advice, and intelligent automation in fintech applications. Traditional wealth management platforms often suffer from fragmented user experiences, slow navigation, and generic financial recommendations. Piyush recognized these pain points early on and set out to build a next-generation app that addresses them through: Deep Linking – For seamless app navigation and user engagement. Router Frameworks – For efficient and dynamic in-app routing. Artificial Intelligence – For hyper-personalized financial insights and automation. Deep linking allows users to navigate directly to specific content within an app rather than just launching the homepage. This is particularly useful in wealth management, where users need quick access to portfolios, investment insights, or transaction histories. Piyush Chhabra is transforming wealth management by integrating Deep Linking for: Personalized Investment Links – Users receive tailored links (via email or notifications) that take them directly to recommended investment opportunities. – Users receive tailored links (via email or notifications) that take them directly to recommended investment opportunities. Seamless Onboarding – New users clicking on referral links land directly on signup pages with pre-filled details, reducing drop-offs. – New users clicking on referral links land directly on signup pages with pre-filled details, reducing drop-offs. Cross-Platform Integration – Deep links connect web and mobile experiences, ensuring consistency when users switch devices. Impact of integrating deep linking solutions created by Piyush Chhabra: Higher Conversion Rates – Direct access to relevant financial products increases engagement. – Direct access to relevant financial products increases engagement. Better User Retention – Reduced friction in navigation keeps users active. Wealth management apps require smooth transitions between dashboards, analytics, and transaction modules. Traditional navigation often leads to lag and poor UX. Piyush's Implementation of Modern Router Frameworks uses Flutter's Navigator 2.0 and React Native's Reanimated Router for dynamic routing that adjusts navigation based on user behavior and animated transitions that smooth animations between financial dashboards, improving perceived performance. Piyush's router framework integration solution provided the required scalability, like adding new features (like crypto integration) that can be added without disrupting existing flows and algorithms, and cached routing ensures key functionalities remain available without internet for the end users. AI is revolutionizing wealth management through predictive analytics, robo-advisors, and fraud detection. Piyush's app integrates machine learning (ML) and natural language processing (NLP) to deliver: 1. Personalized Investment Strategies Analyzes spending habits, risk appetite, and market trends to suggest optimal portfolios. 2. Automated Portfolio Rebalancing AI monitors market shifts and reallocates assets to maintain desired risk levels. 3. Voice-Activated Financial Insights NLP enables users to ask how their retirement fund is performing and get instant voice responses. Piyush's integration of deep linking, router frameworks, and AI is just the beginning. His contributions to wealth management and the financial services industry include: Blockchain Integration – For transparent and secure asset tracking. – For transparent and secure asset tracking. Augmented Reality (AR) Dashboards – Visualizing portfolios in 3D for better insights. – Visualizing portfolios in 3D for better insights. Predictive AI Lending – Offering pre-approved loans based on financial health. Piyush is at the forefront of transforming wealth management into a smarter, faster, and more intuitive experience. By harnessing deep linking for engagement, router frameworks for seamless navigation, and AI for intelligent automation, his app is setting a new standard in fintech innovation. As these technologies evolve, Piyush Chhabra's vision will likely shape the future of how individuals and advisors manage wealth in an increasingly digital world. For fintech enthusiasts, developers, and software architects, Piyush Chhabra's approach serves as a blueprint for building next-generation financial apps. The fusion of cutting-edge tech with user-centric design is not just improving wealth management; it's redefining it.
Time Business News
4 days ago
- Business
- Time Business News
Mobile App Development Technology with DigiTrends in Dubai
In today's digitally connected world, mobile apps have become more than just tools—they're integral to how we live, shop, work, and communicate. Dubai, a city known for its ambition and innovation, has emerged as a hotbed for digital transformation. At the forefront of this shift is DigiTrends, a trailblazing name recognized as a leading best mobile app development company in Dubai. With a deep understanding of user behavior, technological trends, and scalable business solutions, DigiTrends isn't just building apps; they are building future-ready experiences. Dubai's smart city vision and its aggressive adoption of emerging technologies make it the ideal ground for digital disruption. Government initiatives like Smart Dubai, Expo 2020's tech legacy, and global investor confidence have positioned the city as a magnet for tech talent and innovation. With mobile usage in the UAE among the highest globally, and increasing demand for mobile-first solutions in retail, healthcare, education, and logistics, the need for next-gen app development has never been greater. That's where DigiTrends Mobile App Development Company in Dubai stands out. Unlike generic development firms, DigiTrends combines Dubai's digital vision with real-world execution. Their secret lies in combining international standards with regional cultural insights. With a strong development footprint across the UAE, DigiTrends crafts tailored solutions in: Custom Mobile App Development ( iOS , Android , Flutter , React Native ) , , , ) Virtual Reality App Development Augmented Reality App Development UI/UX Design & Product Consulting Enterprise and Startup Digital Transformation They've positioned themselves as not just developers—but as digital partners. DigiTrends has delivered successful solutions for fintech startups, healthcare institutions, real estate groups, and eCommerce giants across the UAE. Their deep industry expertise allows them to provide tailored functionality and user experiences. From blockchain-powered logistics apps to AR-enabled retail solutions, DigiTrends is pioneering the use of immersive tech in mobile ecosystems. Their cutting-edge virtual reality app development company Dubai division is revolutionizing real estate tours, industrial training, and educational content through immersive solutions. UAE's multilingual and diverse demographics require thoughtful user interfaces. DigiTrends delivers UI/UX that aligns with local cultures while following international design standards. Following Agile and DevOps methodologies, their team ensures fast delivery, iterative improvements, and high-quality code. This leads to faster time-to-market and greater ROI. DigiTrends builds immersive VR apps that are redefining how businesses operate: Real Estate: Virtual property tours for buyers and investors Virtual property tours for buyers and investors Education: Interactive simulations in medical and engineering fields Interactive simulations in medical and engineering fields Corporate Training: Risk-free, realistic training environments for industrial sectors As a top virtual reality app development company Dubai, DigiTrends creates experiences that merge technology with practical utility. Their AR development services enhance real-world experiences with digital overlays: Retail: Try-before-you-buy experiences for apparel and cosmetics Try-before-you-buy experiences for apparel and cosmetics Tourism: AR-guided tours at cultural landmarks AR-guided tours at cultural landmarks Marketing: Interactive product packaging and brand activations This positions them as a leading augmented reality app development company Dubai clients trust. A luxury fashion brand partnered with DigiTrends to create an AR-based try-on feature. Within six months, conversion rates increased by 48%. Collaborating with a Dubai-based medical university, DigiTrends developed a surgical simulation platform—reducing student errors and improving retention. For a major UAE logistics firm, DigiTrends built a GPS-powered fleet management app. Result: 27% cost savings within the first year. To ensure digital visibility, DigiTrends optimizes every product page and blog post with high-value keywords. A dedicated internal linking framework ensures visitors smoothly navigate between: DigiTrends Mobile App Development Company in Dubai Virtual Reality solutions Augmented Reality service pages Mobile app service categories This strategy boosts crawlability and strengthens domain authority. While other agencies like TekRevol offer a wide range of services, DigiTrends stands apart through: Deeper local market understanding Specialized AR/VR departments Streamlined agile delivery Data-driven design thinking They don't just build apps; they build ecosystems that scale. Whether you need a consumer-facing app, an internal enterprise solution, or a next-gen immersive experience, DigiTrends delivers innovation at every level. As the demand for mobile and immersive apps in Dubai continues to rise, partnering with DigiTrends ensures you stay ahead of the curve. 👉 Ready to transform your digital presence? Explore: DigiTrends Mobile App Development Company in Dubai TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Irish Examiner
21-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Blair project pays dividends for Tipp
There are few more suited to the modern high performance sports environment than Karin Blair, as an elite camogie player with a yen for figures. Number crunching is a major part the scene now but having access to stats is one thing. Knowing what they mean, separating the gold from the crud to inform future game plans, is something else entirely. Whereas many of us floundered in the sea of numbers and formulae in maths class, Blair was in her comfort zone and having initially started doing actuarial exams, pivoted towards data analytics. She works with Flutter, the sports betting and gaming company. Not having an iota about what might flourish at Royal Ascot during the week is no barrier to doing the job. Everything she needs to know, interpret and pass on is in the numbers. When it came to making the transition from being a forward to a defender three years ago, after joining the senior squad straight out of minor in 2019, the Cashel star needed something else, however. Sure, some stats might tell her how she was progressing but ultimately, this was about mindset. It was about accepting the decision of management and applying herself to be the best she could be in the new role. Safe to say, the results have been hugely positive. Indeed Blair managed to inculcate her natural skills with her new-found ones to prove a thorn in the side of opposition forwards, not just in terms of her speed and skill to deny them possession, but by turning them the other way. 'At the start, I was like, 'Oh God, no,' Blair admits. 'You love taking your scores and even now, when I go back playing club, I play more so in the forwards or midfield. Then you go into county training and they're handling out the bibs, there's no question now, I'm a back. 'I definitely found it really hard. Small things. You could find yourself almost watching the play, and then all of a sudden you're like, 'Oh God, this player is my responsibility,' and then she's off running! 'But what made me get up speed with it a lot quicker was all the girls around me. They knew that I was kind of transitioning into the backs and that I wasn't as tuned into everything as I should be. It was the kind of constant talk around me that really helped me. And then, you obviously have to shift your focus.' Without wiping what comes natural from the memory banks entirely. 'The forward in me loves pushing forward, and being able to contribute in that way as well. My game has become about finding the balance and if there is an opportunity to not be afraid, to go for it. And that is something that the lads over us would say. Obviously, number one, you're a back and you defend. But you play off intuition. If you see an opportunity go for it.' The alchemy struck gold when Blair scored the winning point as Tipperary ended 20 years without a national title by edging out Galway in the Very League Division 1A final at Croke Park last season. 'In a match, obviously, you're just playing in the moment, just so present in the time. I didn't even realise that I was so far out the field. It was just my player had gone out there. 'I remember just looking and I could see the ball was gonna be hit down the line, anticipating it. And then, I suppose I just won the ball, and d'you know, head up. And I was like, 'Oh, I'm actually up far enough now, I suppose I'll take a strike at it.' "But when you're playing in such a high pressure match, and it's that intensity, you don't dwell on it too long. It was reset, back out again. 'It was great when that final whistle blew. We actually got over the line this time. And I think, being able to say, we won that last year and winning the Munster the year before, I think, those two games put a huge belief system in us that we can push over the edge. And we do have it in us to finish things out fully.' It was tremendous reward for the players, that had been involved in what for a long time, looked doomed to be a Sisyphean task. It was a time of celebration too, for the families and Blair's most ardent supporters are her football-mad Down father Joe – the family moved to Tipp due to his work when she was a toddler – and her German mother Jannett, who has undergone a steep learning curve around camogie since her daughter has risen through the ranks. The German part of ancestry is reflected in Blair's Christian name (pronounced Kareen, not Karen) and one can only imagine what her relatives think when they see videos of the ferocious exchanges under a dropping sliotar. Watching her as part of a winning Tipp team at HQ was a joy for them all but that is in the rearview mirror now. The likes of Cáit Devane, Mary Ryan and Nicole Walsh, among others, have moved on. Injuries have had their say too. With the juniors and minors winning All-Irelands last year, there is fresh blood however, infusing the squad with a new energy. Last year's successful minor captain and minor player of the year, Sarah Corcoran has had an immediate impact, while the likes of Lucy Purcell and Caitlyn Treacy have also made their presence felt. Such developments have led to less roaming for Blair since the commencement of the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Championships, however. It is a testament to how well she has inculcated the primary responsibilities of her defensive job into her game that the 24-year-old has been entrusted with the No 3 jersey after 'big leader', Clodagh Quirke suffered her third cruciate knee ligament injury in the Munster semi-final against Waterford. She had missed the start of this year's League herself as she recovered from shoulder surgery, having torn the labrum in the first half of the aforementioned League final, a revelation that adds even greater lustre to her defining score. She managed it through the remainder of the season before going under the knife. It was vital, after barely raising a gallop against Cork in their Group 1 opener – they lost by 18 points at The Ragg – that they would respond and the ruthlessness they showed in accounting for Wexford by 32 on enemy territory was pleasing. Next up is a Limerick team that can secure qualification with victory at Cappamore (1pm throw-in). The same will apply to Tipp but though they will be favourites, the Premiers have been through enough to ensure complacency doesn't seep into the dressing room. The points are the most important aspect of the day but that it is Pride Round is something they are all cognisant off. 'We've had the Pride flag hanging in our dressing room now for the last two weeks, just to kind of distill that in girls. We wouldn't really make like a huge thing of it, because it's just kind of like an accepted thing at this stage. We had a few pictures that we passed onto the GPA. 'It's great that people know, everyone can be themselves. And I feel like it is an environment, especially the camogie, where everyone does feel accepted. And I do feel like, in the past couple years, that it's really grown like that, that it's that kind of environment for everyone.'
The 42
21-06-2025
- Sport
- The 42
'At the start, I was like, ‘Oh God, no'' - Blair project pays dividends for Tipp
THERE ARE FEW more suited to the modern high performance sports environment than Karin Blair, as an elite camogie player with a yen for figures. Number crunching is a major part the scene now but having access to stats is one thing. Knowing what they mean, separating the gold from the crud to inform future game plans, is something else entirely. Whereas many of us floundered in the sea of numbers and formulae in maths class, Blair was in her comfort zone and having initially started doing actuarial exams, pivoted towards data analytics. She works with Flutter, the sports betting and gaming company. Not having an iota about what might flourish at Royal Ascot during the week is no barrier to doing the job. Everything she needs to know, interpret and pass on is in the numbers. When it came to making the transition from being a forward to a defender three years ago, after joining the senior squad straight out of minor in 2019, the Cashel star needed something else, however. Sure, some stats might tell her how she was progressing but ultimately, this was about mindset. It was about accepting the decision of management and applying herself to be the best she could be in the new role. Safe to say, the results have been hugely positive. Indeed Blair managed to inculcate her natural skills with her new-found ones to prove a thorn in the side of opposition forwards, not just in terms of her speed and skill to deny them possession, but by turning them the other way. 'At the start, I was like, 'Oh God, no,' Blair admits. 'You love taking your scores and even now, when I go back playing club, I play more so in the forwards or midfield. Then you go into county training and they're handling out the bibs, there's no question now, I'm a back. 'I definitely found it really hard. Small things. You could find yourself almost watching the play, and then all of a sudden you're like, 'Oh God, this player is my responsibility,' and then she's off running! 'But what made me get up speed with it a lot quicker was all the girls around me. They knew that I was kind of transitioning into the backs and that I wasn't as tuned into everything as I should be. It was the kind of constant talk around me that really helped me. And then, you obviously have to shift your focus.' Advertisement Without wiping what comes natural from the memory banks entirely. 'The forward in me loves pushing forward, and being able to contribute in that way as well. My game has become about finding the balance and if there is an opportunity to not be afraid, to go for it. And that is something that the lads over us would say. Obviously, number one, you're a back and you defend. But you play off intuition. If you see an opportunity go for it.' The alchemy struck gold when Blair scored the winning point as Tipperary ended 20 years without a national title by edging out Galway in the Very League Division 1A final at Croke Park last season. Tipperary celebrating their 2024 Division 1 league final win. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO 'In a match, obviously, you're just playing in the moment, just so present in the time. I didn't even realise that I was so far out the field. It was just my player had gone out there. 'I remember just looking and I could see the ball was gonna be hit down the line, anticipating it. And then, I suppose I just won the ball, and d'you know, head up. And I was like, 'Oh, I'm actually up far enough now, I suppose I'll take a strike at it.' 'But when you're playing in such a high pressure match, and it's that intensity, you don't dwell on it too long. It was reset, back out again. 'It was great when that final whistle blew. We actually got over the line this time. And I think, being able to say, we won that last year and winning the Munster the year before, I think, those two games put a huge belief system in us that we can push over the edge. And we do have it in us to finish things out fully.' It was tremendous reward for the players, that had been involved in what for a long time, looked doomed to be a Sisyphean task. It was a time of celebration too, for the families and Blair's most ardent supporters are her football-mad Down father Joe – the family moved to Tipp due to his work when she was a toddler – and her German mother Jannett, who has undergone a steep learning curve around camogie since her daughter has risen through the ranks. The German part of ancestry is reflected in Blair's Christian name (pronounced Kareen, not Karen) and one can only imagine what her relatives think when they see videos of the ferocious exchanges under a dropping sliotar. Watching her as part of a winning Tipp team at HQ was a joy for them all but that is in the rear-view mirror now. The likes of Cáit Devane, Mary Ryan and Nicole Walsh, among others, have moved on. Injuries have had their say too. With the juniors and minors winning All-Irelands last year, there is fresh blood however, infusing the squad with a new energy. Last year's successful minor captain and minor player of the year, Sarah Corcoran has had an immediate impact, while the likes of Lucy Purcell and Caitlyn Treacy have also made their presence felt. Such developments have led to less roaming for Blair since the commencement of the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Championships, however. It is a testament to how well she has inculcated the primary responsibilities of her defensive job into her game that the 24-year-old has been entrusted with the No 3 jersey after 'big leader' Clodagh Quirke suffered her third cruciate knee ligament injury in the Munster semi-final against Waterford. She had missed the start of this year's league herself as she recovered from shoulder surgery, having torn the labrum in the first half of the aforementioned League final, a revelation that adds even greater lustre to her defining score. She managed it through the remainder of the season before going under the knife. In action against Galway last year. Bryan Keane / INPHO Bryan Keane / INPHO / INPHO It was vital, after barely raising a gallop against Cork in their Group 1 opener – they lost by 18 points at The Ragg – that they would respond and the ruthlessness they showed in accounting for Wexford by 32 on enemy territory was pleasing. Next up is a Limerick team that can secure qualification with victory at Cappamore [throw-in 1pm]. The same will apply to Tipp but though they will be favourites, the Premiers have been through enough to ensure complacency doesn't seep into the dressing room. The points are the most important aspect of the day but that it is Pride Round is something they are all cognisant off. 'We've had the Pride flag hanging in our dressing room now for the last two weeks, just to kind of distill that in girls. We wouldn't really make like a huge thing of it, because it's just kind of like an accepted thing at this stage. We had a few pictures that we passed onto the GPA. 'It's great that people know, everyone can be themselves. And I feel like it is an environment, especially the camogie, where everyone does feel accepted. And I do feel like, in the past couple years, that it's really grown like that, that it's that kind of environment for everyone.'
