Westmeath only gained one point from their Division 2 league campaign and lost six games in the process, but the outlook is not near as bleak as it may seem.
They lost six on the trot but in four of those games only a kick of the ball separated them and their opponents.
Along the way there was drama with hooters, late comebacks and resilience shown by the new look squad who were without eight or nine players from last year's panel.
"We were competitive in all games bar the Monaghan one," says Ronan Wallace, the Westmeath captain and Multyfarnham stalwart.
"We attacked well and never gave up and that’s what I’d be looking at heading into the championship."
After a two week gap that has rolled around quickly enough.
Along with Down, Westmeath drop to the third tier next year with Kildare and Offaly emerging.
That sets up Saturday evening’s fascinating clash between the Lilywhites and Wallace’s side at Cedral St Conleth’s Park.
It’s a huge game with massive implications.
"We are both in the same boat," Wallace says.
"Even though Kildare were promoted they are not guaranteed a place in the All-Ireland series and that is where we want to get back to after being there in the last two seasons.
"So getting a win from that game is target number one for both ourselves and Kildare, but trying to make a Leinster final and that All-Ireland series is a target for lots of teams."
If Wallace could pinpoint one thing – aside from the influx of new blood and a new management set-up - from the season so far it’s that they just need to be a little more consistent in games.
"That full performance over the 70 minutes, that’s the key now," he says.
"Hopefully that is coming now. The lads we have injured have been back doing a bit of running and have had ball time. That is important too."
It’s been an eventful number of years for the Lake County.
They won the inaugural Tailteann Cup in 2022, something that Wallace describes as 'massive for the group’.
Last year they battled hard against Galway and Armagh in the All-Ireland series.
Then came retirements from warriors like talisman John Heslin, last year’s captain Kevin Maguire and James Dolan.
David Lynch, Andy McCormack and recent All-Star nominee Ronan O'Toole all went abroad.
There was a switch of managers too last winter with Dermot McCabe replacing Dessie Dolan.
"It’s a brand-new squad, really," says Wallace of the 2025 panel.
"But what we had in the past few weeks was great exposure for them.
"We know what we have to do for the remainder of this year now and the past while was about getting bodies right and working on some tactical stuff together."
Working on the pitch for the past fortnight under McCabe and coach Mark McHugh will have Wallace and his men more than ready for a tough trip to Newbridge.
They will be hoping that the wheel of fortune will finally turn in their favour on Saturday evening.
Watch Tyrone v Cavan in the Ulster Football Championship on Sunday from 3.45pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
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