A new year. More silverware to be won.
And for Kerry they have a league title and an All-Ireland crown to defend. Under Jack O'Connor that has been the case on five previous occasions.
On Sunday, the Kingdom welcome Roscommon to Killarney in the first of seven league games as they strive to win another Division 1 crown.
O'Connor on his home patch is a man who seems at ease with himself just days out before the competitive stuff begins.
A man, who quite simply, loves football.
"I really enjoy it, it gives me a purpose and a reason to get up in the morning, it keeps me motivated," he outlined to RTÉ GAA Correspondent Marty Morrisey.
"And a bit of success always helps.
"Football is never too far away from my mind. I'm very lucky that I'm retired and I have the time. When I'm walking the dog, playing a bit of golf, out for a cycle or in the gym it's never too far away.
"It's a religion down here and it's something that unifies the whole county. There was a tremendous sense of enjoyment, euphoria and satisfaction around the whole county for many months after the All-Ireland. But on New Year's Day we drew a line in the sand and we're looking forward now."
And what of the league? It's no surprise to hear O'Connor say that it's not the year's main target, even though under his stewardship Kerry do like to win it.
While the Cork hurlers and Kerry footballers will begin the defence of their respective league titles this weekend, both managers are coming from different places in order to reach the same place - @MartyMofficial reports pic.twitter.com/Oj6rb54an0
— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) January 23, 2026
A non-too surprising response then when asked about expectations between now and the end of March.
"What you want to do is have a good league, competitive league where you are in every game and at the same time you are trying out fellas to build your panel," he remarked.
"I wouldn't say the league is a priority but it is still a very important competition. People will associate me with winning the league and the All-Ireland in the same year five times and we're hoping to hit the ground running. We'll try to be as competitive as we can; we won't be risking fellas with injuries.
"The league now is very intense. Last year, including the final, we played eight games in nine weeks, in tough conditions, but it probably stood to us afterwards."
But above all Jack likes winning matches, whether it's in early spring or high summer, with the 65-year-old adding: "Here in Kerry, every game you go out to play in, you go out to win. I can never remember any game where we pulled players, put out second-rate teams, you wouldn't be allowed to do that down this neck of the woods."
Kerry, to trot out the old cliché, now have a target on their back. But the manager believes his squad are well equipped to handle the pressure that goes with that.
"The All-Ireland winners are always there to be knocked down but the team is mature enough at this stage. We've had our ups and downs; we won it in '22 but have had disappointment since. The team are mature enough to deal with that expectation.
"Alex Ferguson always said there is real pressure on a team when there is expectation on them. The lads are at a good age, they are mature, have had experiences good and bad. We'll be relishing the challenge."
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