Meath forward Emma Duggan admits that their league form was "not good enough" but said they could use it as motivation for their three-in-a-row tilt in the championship.
There was upheaval in Meath in the off-season, with wildly successful manager Eamonn Murray departing, replaced by former Meath men's U21 boss Davy Nelson. As with most high-level inter-county sides, they had players down under, with Vikki Wall and Orlagh Lally both playing AFLW over the winter and spring.
The back-to-back All-Ireland champions have endured a rocky start to 2023, registering only one win from six in a wretched league campaign.
Their championship campaign also began on a bum note, with a loss to Dublin in Páirc Tailteann in Navan. That result, at least, is of limited consequence, with Meath facing into a game against Division 2 outfit Laois to secure another crack at the Dubs in a Leinster final.
"We were probably going to have a lot of expectation on us coming into the league this year, in terms of coming off the back of three very successful years," Duggan told RTÉ Sport on Tuesday.
"Not that we're using it as an excuse anymore - we're well over that at this stage - but you do have new management, you've new players. We gave a lot of new players game-time. We tried new things in the league as well.
"We weren't happy with our showing at all. We're not happy to finish second last, only winning one game. It's not good enough from us.
"I suppose there's a lot of mileage in a lot of players legs over the last few years as well and you have to manage that, although you never disregard the league.
"There was a lot of new girls that put up their hand. And there's a lot of girls getting used to the way we play. Although results didn't go our way and some performances didn't go our way either, there are positives we can take from the league.
"The league is over now. We're not happy with it but we're only using it as a motivating factor."
2021 Player of the Year Wall returned in time for the penultimate league game at home to Waterford, though couldn't prevent a one-point defeat. Lally has already slotted back into the fold, having spend the winter and spring with the Fremantle Dockers.
"They've been playing another sport for a few months. There's always going to be a bit of rustiness in terms of their touch," says Duggan.
"And in terms of their kicking, they've been so used to kicking a different shaped ball. But for the likes of the girls we had going over, Vikki and Orlagh, they're two such skilled footballers, it wasn't going to take them long to get back into either.
"They've kind of dusted off the cobwebs and are ready to go for championship football."
Duggan herself said last year that she hadn't any intention of joining the exodus Down Under, insisting that there she had plenty of things keeping her in Ireland. Unsurprisingly, with the 2023 championship cranking into gear, nothing has changed in that regard.
"It's not something that's on my radar at the minute. I'm still in college. I wanted to finish that out and assess things. I'm enjoying college and enjoying playing for Meath. There's a really good bunch here that you want to embrace. That's where my head is at for the minute.
"It's not a 'no' forever. For the minute, I'm enjoying things where I'm at."
With Meath experiencing a slump in form, 2022 finalists Kerry have seized the initiative, lashing five goals past Galway to win the league title.
Duggan acknowledges that they've been the form team of 2023, though she hopes a full-strength Meath side will get a crack at them later on.
"There's always going to be a target on our back because of the success we've had. But we had that last year as well and I think we took it in our stride.
"The championship is so open this year and you can't take any team for granted. I think there's so many teams that could win it that you have to be wary of them.
"Kerry are the form team at the minute, there's no doubt about that. They've really come out of the traps this year.
"I suppose they probably have a lot of motivation from the All-Ireland final last year. They proved that in the league and in their opening two games in the Munster championship.
"We'd love a crack at them further down the line. But for us, it's one step at a time. There's so many good teams in it at the minute that are capable of beating you on any day."
