With her involvement on the field of play in this championship season ended by injury, Galway's Áine Keane is now there to support the squad, in offering those words of encouragement ahead of Sunday's Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Senior Camogie final.
Keane tore her ACL in the first round of the championship against Dublin. That was it. The year was over for the Tribes defender.
"It wasn't the opening to the season I would have liked or the one I'd have chosen," a reflective Keane outlined to RTÉ Sport.
"I never had a long-term injury before. It does take a mental toll but I'm lucky I've had good support around me, really good team-mates at both county and club."
And so now it's all about Keane doing her bit to aid the rest of the squad as Galway look to win a first title since 2021 and make amends for last year's final loss to the Rebels.
Some mixed emotions then for the 21-year-old.
"I'm watching on from the sideline in what is a new role but it's about being there for the girls. The next day is going to be a tough for me but it's not about me, it's about the girls, in making sure the new girls we have onboard enjoy the day.
"I will try to be as calm as possible. At times it's not the easiest but it's something I'm working on, trying to adjust, trying to be the presence the girls need in the stand. Above all it's about offering encouragement."
In April, Galway lost the Division 1A league final to their opponents on Sunday. A somewhat sobering day as the Munster side ran out 11-point winners. Keane, though, has been impressed with how they recovered to reach another O'Duffy Cup decider and references the semi-final win over Tipperary as a game where they really stood up and were counted.
"To get back to an All-Ireland final is where you want to be and in fairness to the girls they showed great grit in the semi-finals, great determination," she said.
"We've had unbelievable challenges against Tipp over the years and it's always a tough game. We knew it would be no different going into that semi-final and we played them in the semi last year and there was only a puck of a ball in it at the end.
"If we could win on Sunday it will mean everything to us and everything to the people of Galway"
"Tipp are an unbelievable side and are making it tougher and tougher for everyone else. Not seeing out a lead in first half was something we worked on. While it was a comfortable enough performance in the end there was still a lot to work on and we've had the time to do that work in the last two weeks.
"All-Ireland final day is the pinnacle of our career. It's what you dream of, the dream of representing you county in senior final, or any final. To be able to do that, to represent you family and your club, to thank those who backed you as a six-year-old, it's a super special day.
"It's a very emotional day because there is a lot riding on it and you want to bring back a bit of joy to the county. If we could win on Sunday it will mean everything to us and everything to the people of Galway."
Winning the inaugural All-Ireland U-23 title against Cork just last month is no doubt a confidence booster for the Connacht outfit, with senior boss Cathal Murray (below) also in charge of the U23s.
Keane has hailed Murray's efforts in adding more depth to the senior side, when saying: "In fairness to Cathal, he's done super work over the last couple of years integrating new players. If you look at the panel from last year, I'm injured, Niamh McPeake, who started at centre-forward in the All-Ireland final is injured, Niamh Kilkenny has stepped way, as has Niamh Hanniffy, so stalwarts of the game have stepped way.
"To have that U-23 success has been super for the girls, super for our camp, just great to have that experience going into the final."
Prediction time.
"Ourselves and Cork have had many battles over the years and Sunday will be no different - it will be a tight game," are the initial thoughts from the St Thomas's player.
Pushed further, she feels Galway are better placed now to go one better than 12 months ago.
"Cork will be favourites going in and deservedly so as they have been the standout team in this championship. They are All-Ireland champions, so we know what's ahead of us but we are determined to put on a performance. If we can do that we have a chance.
"Last year was disappointing. We were leading at half time but then they came out and scored 1-04 without any response from us. To get ourselves back in the game was positive. Obviously the ending was not ideal but again we took positives from it. It will take the same workrate and effort but the girls are in better nick this year, are definitely fitter. As a group we are that bit closer this year and I believe we have the quality in the panel to get us over the line."
Watch the All-Ireland Camogie Championship finals on Sunday from 12.45pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, including the senior final of Cork v Galway at 5.15pm. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1. Watch highlights on The Sunday Game from 9.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
