He may be in his 16th season of championship hurling with O'Loughlin Gaels, but for Mark Bergin, winter hurling has never been so appealing.
Last month’s county title took his tally to three – Gaels have five in total, all coming since the turn of the century – and now the focus on keeping the journey going.
Provincial debutants Na Fianna stand in their way of Leinster glory on Saturday, but the 34-year-old says the surprise victory over Ballyhale in the county final was a huge boost under the management of three-time All-Star Brian Hogan.
Shamrocks were bidding to reach a fifth All-Ireland final in a row, with three victories and a defeat in that period, but Paddy Deegan’s late free ensured a famous one-point win for the Gaels.
"It’s the only way to beat them really (Ballyhale), is at the final whistle," Bergin told RTÉ Sport.
"Last year we had a very bad year. We were beaten in the first round by Mullinavat after getting to the County final the previous year.
"But Brian came in and he surrounded himself with great club men. His man management skills are top class.
"And real players’ people. Got the spirit going and since the Ballyhale match there's been a bit of a buzz, we are going training and it’s November. Leinster club final first weekend of December.
"It can’t get any better than that."
Hogan’s trust in the players appears to be at odds with a strict player’s charter from a senior hurling club that has been shared on social media.
"It’s not healthy, it’s not healthy at all. You have to treat players like adults as well and there has to be that respect there, and while hurling is so, so important, as is football and everything else, there is a life outside of it too," Bergin said.
A primary school principal in Danesfort, Bergin stepped away from the inter-county scene for the second time in 2017.
A winner’s medal from 2012 is a prized possession – he was an unused sub in the 2016 final defeat to Tipperary – but there are no regrets at failing to earn a regular place in the Cats team during such a decorated period in the county’s history.
"In the forwards, you are looking at some of the greats that played the game," he said.
"I’m absolutely delighted to say I shared a dressing room with them and played some small part. Even being managed by Brian Cody, the greatest manager of all time. It was fantastic."
While Dublin star Donal Burke could again be absent through injury for Na Fianna, the form of the Currie brothers, Sean and Colin, has been instrumental in their journey to a maiden county title and through to a provincial decider.
If any club side however is equipped to shutting down an attacking unit, it’s O’Loughlin Gaels. Huw Lawlor and Mikey Butler are fresh from picking up their second consecutive All-Stars, while Paddy Deegan – match-winner against Ballyhale – adds further inter-county nous.
"We all look up to them. We are absolutely so proud of them every time they step out in Croke Park and even last July when the All-Ireland final was on, the performances by the three of them, it is just great to see."
Saturday marks just the second time the club will grace the hallowed turf at GAA headquarters, the 2011 All-Ireland defeat to Clarinbridge still a painful reminder for Bergin who hit half a dozen points in a comprehensive win for the Galway club.
"It was bitterly disappointing. I was only a young lad at the time. You think you might get another chance, but it took six years to Kilkenny again and another seven to get here now. It’s not easy.
"When you get your chance, you’ve got to take it."
Watch the Leinster Club hurling final, O`Loughlin Gaels (Kilkenny) v Na Fianna (Dublin), on Saturday from 3.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player and listen to updates on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
