Kerry star Kayleigh Cronin admits that playing for the Kingdom has proven a real test of faith over the years, but she is hoping that their prayers are answered in this year's All-Ireland championship.
Darragh Long’s side, who face Tipperary in the Munster championship group stage this weekend, have made rapid improvement in recent seasons, chalking up a Division 2 title last year and a Division 1 crown this term (Cronin was Player of the Match) – their first since 1991.
They also reached their first All-Ireland final since 2012 last year, although they were heavily beaten by Meath in the Croke Park decider.
For Cronin, PwC GPA Player of the Month for April in ladies’ football, having stayed strong in the rough periods gives Kerry the belief that they can continue to take advantage of the good times and hopefully collect a first All-Ireland crown in 30 years.
"There were a couple of years when I first came into the panel that were tough going to say the least," she said.
"Nobody had an ounce of faith in us. It would make you question the faith in yourself as well. We went through a couple of hard years. Even a couple of years previous to when I was there, they were in the depths of despair nearly.
"We always had faith that we did have the players. We just had to get a system in place. Thankfully, the management that are here at the minute have brought that into place. Now we are seeing the fruits of our labour over the last few years. It's coming good."
"Nobody had an ounce of faith in us. It would make you question the faith in yourself as well.
Nothing is guaranteed though. With three in-a-row chasing Meath looking vulnerable at times during the league, there is a feeling that the race for the Brendan Martin Cup could be one of the most competitive since its inception.
Cronin certainly thinks so, and feels that even more teams need considering when asked if there were "five or six" sides in the race.
"Five or six, at the minimum, to be honest," she replied.
"We probably believe in a few more of them more than they believe in themselves.
"It's wide open. The Munster championship this year is super. You're coming into the last weekend of it, and you still don't know who's going to be in the final.
"We already have the results of the Connacht final [Mayo defeated Galway] but I can guarantee you that Galway aren't done this year either.
"You have a couple of teams coming out of Ulster and even Division 2 that will put it up to anybody. We were down in Division 2 long enough to know that. It's a desperate division to get out of because the games are very tough."
With two games played, Kerry know that they only need a point in Tipp to book a Munster final spot, but it’s been a far from perfect provincial campaign.
They needed a late Danielle O’Leary goal to finally fend off Waterford in their first outing before giving up a 10-point lead late on in their draw with Cork.
They’re back on the road this weekend, in Bansha, meaning they have been the away team in every game.
"Three weeks in a row away is a lot to ask," said Cronin. "It would have been nice to get a crowd at home in Kerry.
"We felt it would have been fair if everyone got at least one home game. Maybe that's something that could be looked at: One home, one away, one neutral.
"In terms of being a round robin, I see absolutely nothing wrong with it. All four teams playing in it are more than capable. The more games, the merrier."
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