The poor form of the Galway team in this year's National League was not a major concern to Kate Geraghty. The former minor star felt that the performance level in each game indicated that Galway were not far off the standard needed to make anyimpact in the Championship.
"It wasn't a major concern but we knew that by the time the Connacht Final came around, we needed to get back on top again, and start winning a few games," she said, adding that early season form last year did them no favours when it came to the title chase.
"We peaked too early last year, so I think it's nearly better that we're peaking a bit later in the season this year," she added.
However, it was the double performances against Dublin and Cork that has made the rest of the country sit up and take notice.
"Both teams were a big challenge for us and we knew they would be coming back at us in full force late in both games. We knew that we needed a team performance and to focus more on our own performance rather than the others," she said.
She acknowledges that having goals in the Galway armoury is a valuable weapon as Roisin Leonard and Ailbhe Davoren proved at key moments against Dublin and Cork. Kate feels the resurgence of their net-finding form has given them a new dimension.
"We identified it ourselves that we had not got many goals early in the season, but they're coming now, thank God," she laughs.
"There is a lot of pressure on Kerry because they are going in as strong favourites. Sometimes, we play our best games when we are going in as the underdog and that stands to us."
She feels that there is a newfound belief to the squad now, and that this was key to the wins over Cork and Dublin.
"There is a resilience to the team now. Even if we are a few points down in a game, we know that we can pull it back. We just kept motoring forward and Aoife O'Rourke got the goal in the Dublin game."
This strength and resilience comes from their heavy early season work where they focused on their conditioning.
As the LGFA marks its 50th birthday, Kate said that she has seen the steps that have been made in securing more facilities and services for the ladies game.
"After the game now, we are getting food and physio and it is great to have that facility. While it might not yet match the men's game, we are getting there," she said, adding that the campaign by Lidl has done a lot to spread the word and promote the game.
"It is nice to have younger girls coming through. Sometimes there is a big gap between minor and senior and it wonderful to see that," she added.
