The Galway hurlers enjoyed a terrific league win over Kilkenny on Sunday at Pearse Stadium and it was all the more memorable by virtue of how it was achieved.
Digging deep into their collective will and showing an impressive mental toughness was hugely encouraging for the months ahead.
That same edge to their play and the raw desire for victory will be needed on many more occasions if serious silverware is to be collected.
For now, however, Galway can look back with satisfaction at how they overturned Kilkenny in this epic encounter, and hope for more to come.
It was heady stuff and, despite the piercing cold, all the maroon supporters left Salthill with a jaunt in their step and a bit of heat in their hearts.
Brian Cody’s men had come to Pearse Stadium looking to preserve the only 100 per cent record in the top division of the league and, after an explosive opening four minutes, they looked very much on track to do exactly that.
Two goals within a minute, the first from midfielder Michael Fennelly and the second from Eddie Brennan from the subsequent Galway puckout, along with points from Eoin Larkin (two ) and Richie Hogan, put the Cats 2-3 to 0-0 ahead.
Some of the maroon supporters who had arrived two minutes late for the game to discover their side was 2-1 down with one minute and 52 seconds on the clock must have been tempted to turn around and ask for their money back.
However John McIntyre’s men put their collective shoulders to the wheel and, led by team captain Tony Óg Regan, the fiery David Collins, the wonderful Adrian Cullinane at the back, David Burke and Ger Farragher in the engine room, Andy Smith and Eanna Ryan in the half-line, and big Iarla Tannian and Joe Gantley in the full-forward line, they pulled the lead back to lead 2-07 to 2-05 at the break.
It was a sensational turnaround and spoke volumes for the character now becoming ingrained into this Galway side.
"I said to them before in the dressing room that they didn’t hurt enough against Cork," said McIntyre, referring to the previous week’s loss.
"We needed to see Galway players losing a bit of skin, losing a bit of blood. We all know about Galway’s stick-work and ability with the ball and all that, but you have to back that up with a rawness and a bitterness that Galway teams have been lacking through the years, and not just on my watch."
A key factor in the turnround was the Galway forward line. Five of the six scored and Iarla Tannian (2-2 ) impressed with his strength and power. He provided a real focal point for the attack and the consistent hard work of Aongus Callanan and Cyril Donnellan did not go unnoticed either.
It was great to see Damien Joyce back in action too and he impressed on his introduction. When the other players on the casualty list are back fully fit, the management team will have real options and hard decisions to make for the starting places. Lads are battling for their places and it shows.
Next up is league leaders Dublin in Parnell Park on Sunday week and that should be another humdinger.
"It was the start from hell,” said McIntyre. “ And when you’re playing a team of the calibre, experience, and proven ability of Kilkenny, it’s not an easy stranglehold to break.
"They were very physical. They were finding their men. They got two opportunist goals. They got three early points and you think, ‘Wow, how can Galway get back into this match?’
"But, slowly and surely the Galway players looked into their souls. They showed great heart. They showed great pride in the jersey, and we were back in the contest in a big way by half-time."
