For many, ending an almost 30-year wait for an All-Ireland title would be cause for extreme satisfaction.
Joe Canning, born a month after Galway's previous triumph in 1988, was named Hurler of the Year as they finally bridged that gap last September.
But now that the Tribesmen have got used to having Liam MacCarthy around, the Portumna man is intent on the rare visitor wintering in the West once more.
"When you're young, you dream of winning All-Irelands every year so for me, it doesn't change," he told RTÉ Sport.
"Every year when you go out, you want to win an All-Ireland. When I was 16 years of age at home on the farm, at 30 years I probably thought I'd have 10 All-Irelands at this stage. And obviously that's not realistic unless you're Henry Shefflin.
"You just want to win every game you play and it's no different now than it was this time last year."
Cork in 2004-5 were the last team not managed by Brian Cody to retain the title, but Canning doesn't detect any signs of complacency among his team-mates or management, who he reckons are pushing the players harder than ever.
"I think lads are chomping at the bit," he said.
"Especially the last few weeks, since we came back from the club, it’s really stepped up. It’s been tough going to be honest, the training games and stuff like that.
"I think we’ve even added a little bit more this year. Training, and the games especially, has felt a little bit more physical.
"We know what’s down the road. There’s a target on our back now that we’re All-Ireland champions. People want to beat us.
"Hopefully we’re ready for it but who knows until you play."
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The champions begin their defence tomorrow with a Leinster round-robin trip to Offaly today.
Canning is expect a tougher test under new manager Kevin Martin than Galway received when hammering the Faithful County by triple scores in last year's provincial semi-final.
It was a more competitive affair when the sides met in Division 1B in February, but Micheál Donoghue's men still won comfortably enough on a 2-19 to 0-14 scoreline.
"They’re a different opposition to what we played last year," observed Canning.
"They were setting up more orthodox during the League.
"Kevin (Martin) has done a great job. They beat Dublin, ran Kilkenny very close and were unlucky not to beat them.
"They’re a big physical team and they have pace. They’re a little bit like ourselves in a way. It’s going to be a tough opener down there.
"If you lose one game you’re in serious trouble straight away so we need to get wins on the board early."
The forward missed most of Galway's Allianz Hurling League campaign after recuperating from minor knee surgery in the autumn but now feels back to 100% and ready to go.
"I was kind of taking it a bit slow after the operation so just getting back into it," he said.
"I only played really four matches - two in the league and two in club championship since so I haven't that many games played but it's holding up fairly well."
"I think I'm fine, I'm training away since Christmas so I think I'm okay. We'll see on Saturday whether I am or not when we get into championship but I think it's okay."
Follow Offaly v Galway this Saturday via our live blog on RTÉ.ie and the News Now App or listen to exclusive national radio commentary on RTÉ Radio 1. Highlights on the Sunday Game on RTÉ2, 9.30pm.
