When Galway claimed another All-Ireland senior camogie title last August, it triggered a butterfly effect that would ultimately leave them stranded on the other side of the Atlantic.
In the wake of their thrilling defeat of Cork at Croke Park, the Tribeswomen embarked on a fundraising venture to go on a dream trip to New York City. Off they went in February, enjoying a well deserved few days away just as a serious snowstorm was settling on the Big Apple.
With over 5,000 flights out of New York cancelled, everybody had to sit tight and wait for a thaw, the players eventually getting home in dribs and drabs just in time for the league opener against Waterford.
Galway were, understandably, undercooked for that game, which they lost 0-12 to 1-05.
Now, the counties meet again in Sunday's Division 1A final at Nowlan Park with a piece of silverware on the line and an opportunity to make a statement.
"We really enjoyed it," defender Ciara Hickey said of the jaunt to America. "Most of us had never been on a trip like that before, so we really enjoyed it. Then we got a few extra days out of it, so it was grand.
"(The delay in getting home) was tough, but there was nothing we could have done about it. Preparation wasn't great. I think there was a couple of points in it near the end of that match, which was expected. We knew Watford were going to bring everything to that game.
"If preparation was better for us, then it might have been a closer match. But yeah, nothing we could have done about that."
"We really want to get performances in all the games in the league so the final will be no different."
Preparation will certainly be better heading into the decider this weekend. Galway begin their championsip defence against Cork in June but right now the focus is solely on taking down a hungry, talented Déise outfit.
"The league is very important to us because we don't have a Munster or Leinster championship after this," Hickey said.
"We have a break and then it's into the championship. We really want to get performances in all the games in the league so the final will be no different.
"It's great to see different teams every year competing. Last year it was Cork, this year it's Waterford. We know every year it's a tough, tough battle. Waterford, I think it's their first time in a league final. They will be bringing everything, throwing everything at it and we just need to be prepared for that."
Galway know the course well having won three All-Irelands and three leagues under manager Cathal Murray, but there was no guarantee the Sarsfields man would be back for 2026. He had to reapply for the position last October because his contract was up.
Murray (above) publicly aired his disappointment at having to do that, but took it on the chin to throw his hat in the ring and ultimately receive ratification. He's also overseeing the Under-23s team. For Hickey, it was a big relief.
"The professionalism they bring is massive," she said.
"Everything is just there for us and everything is set up correctly. We were delighted to see the whole management team come back and be in with the under-23s as well as the seniors. It's made a big difference.
"The under-23s, they're brilliant. They're really pushing not just the under-23s, but the senior girls as well.
"There's girls that are eligible for under-23 that are coming on senior, who really have made a mark, like Aoibheann Barry. The last day she started against Cork and she scored two or three points and Shannon Corcoran in the same.
"There's just such huge competition in Galway at the minute. The under-23 team is really driving on the senior team and it's brilliant to see."
Watch the Camogie League finals, Clare v Dublin (12.15pm) and Waterford v Galway (2.15pm) on Sunday from 12pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow our live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app and listen to Sunday Sport from 2pm on RTÉ Radio 1.
