Brian Dowling could be forgiven for thinking that the managerial game is an easy one.
In his maiden year in charge, Kilkenny claimed just their second All-Ireland title since 1994 to banish some recent dark days in Croke Park.
It was revenge for last year's loss to Galway in the decider, but it was about changing an unwanted pattern having lost five of the last six finals.
2019 was Dowling’s first involvement as part of Ann Downey’s backroom team, but when she decided to step away after the black and amber again fell short at the final hurdle, the O’Loughlin Gaels man stepped into the hotseat.
First there was a psychological barrier that had to be overcome.
"The devastation these girls have gone through for the past three years. Going back into that dressing room [in 2019], it was absolutely cruel," he told RTÉ Sport.
"It felt like there has been a dark cloud hanging over this team for the past few years. It’s finally been lifted. It’s so hard losing All-Ireland finals. You look at everything, you analyse everything. We didn’t care how we got over the line."
For the fourth All-Ireland final in a row, Kilkenny trailed at the interval, but this time around they rallied, aided by a confidence-boosting pep talk.
"I just said, if we get ahead, I think we will win it. I just felt all week we were going to win today. Sometimes it is your time, and today was our time."
With space at a premium in the opening 30 minutes, things opened up after the break and Kilkenny’s scores seemed to come that bit easier.
Aoife Doyle looked like a seasoned campaigner rather than someone in her first final, Denise Gaule began to sparkle to go with her frees, while Grace Walsh and Katie Nolan grew in influence.
Gaule’s late penalty was the defining moment of the game when the sides were level, but it was just rewards considering how many times they opened up the Galway rearguard.
"I think we could have been further ahead, Galway I felt were hanging in and a team like that can punish you. The nerves weren’t great in the last minute," Dowling added.
The manager said all week it would take their best performance of the year to topple the champions.
They duly delivered.
