Last year was a rollercoaster for Orla Hickey.
As chronicled in the RTÉ documentary Camogie: Inside The Championship, the Waterford corner-back came back from Canada to help her county's summer charge, though there was a more sombre underlying reason for her return.
Her father Ger was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Last October, he passed away.
Ger was there for the Déise's journey to the semi-finals of the All-Ireland, where they lost to Cork, who would then be overturned by Galway in the decider.
And for Hickey, they're precious memories.
"One of the best things is, you know, everyone was acknowledging my dad and just saying they got to see how much of a legend he was, so that was great," she said ahead of this Sunday's league final between Waterford and Galway at Nowlan Park.
Hickey admits she "likes to keep busy". The Cappoquin native had a short stint with Waterford FC in the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division last year after the inter-county season wrapped up, but her full focus as been on camogie since the winter.
The team flew out of the traps in the league to make the Division 1A final for the first time. Now, they're desperate to get over the line.
"We just kind of keep driving on and pushing hard," added Hickey.
"We're delighted to be in the 1A final. Any time you're in it, it's an absolutely amazing achievement. But you just want to go on and do it. Galway, they're All-Ireland champions for a reason. They're going to be a very strong opponent.
"We all set targets every year and this is definitely one of them. Get the feet on the ground and start running."
"I think the game should stay right where it is and stick to what we know. The sidelines are there for a reason."
Waterford have beaten Galway already this year. They turned them over back in February, albeit the Tribesowmen's preparations for that game were heavily disrupted after a snowstorm delayed their return from a squad trip to New York.
"Getting a win on them any day is huge, especially so early on in the league," sid Hickey. "And we know there's always the outside noise of, you know, they're only back or they're missing so-and-so, but it was definitely massive for us to get the win on them.
"I don't think we've done anything different. I just think new girls obviously bring new things into camp and I think our mentality may be slightly changed. We do have the belief in us and in our camp and in the team."
This league campaign has been used to trial new rules, including the allowance of sideline pucks to be taken from the hand if player is inside their own 45-metre line.
It's a tweak Hickey does nto agree with.
"I don't think it should be changing to be honest," she added. "I think the game should stay right where it is and stick to what we know. The sidelines are there for a reason.
"I think it's a skill. You can see in the women in camogie, you're getting two points if you score from a sideline. So I don't see why we shouldn't be trying to improve the skill.
"Look, they're trial and error, all of them. The rules are being brought in for a reason. We just get on with the game and play the game."
Right now Galway are the standard-bearers having captured the O'Duffy Cup last year. Hickey dismisses any suggestion Sunday could be a phoney war ahead of a potential championship showdown in a few months' time. She wants to make another statement and bring home a trophy.
"I think we're both going to put out strong teams. No one's going to try and throw it on the day. With technology these days, you know what teams are going to be put out.
"I think Galway's physicality and their mentality to win... you know, their never-die attitude. It really stands out."
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.
