It's all change in the Kerry camp.
For the first time in 31 years, they begin the year as All-Ireland champions, but they will defend their crown, and look to go one better in the league following last year’s final disappointment against Armagh, without some familiar faces.
Declan Quill and Darragh Long stepped away as joint-managers weeks after guiding the Kingdom to the Brendan Martin Cup.
Mark Bourke is the man tasked with plotting further success with the Kingdom, but he must do so without the services of decorated forward Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh, who bows out after 17 seasons in the green and gold.
The 32-year-old was named footballer of the year in 2023 and won five All-Star awards, with her career culminating in All-Ireland glory last August.
Former team captain Síofra O’Shea, who recovered from a cruciate injury to return for the business end of last year’s memorable campaign says the Corca Dhuibhne woman leaves a lasting legacy in the game.
"I looked up to her from when I was younger and to get to play alongside her was special for the last number of years," she told RTÉ Sport.
"She was a great role model for us, with a career that has been absolutely phenomenal. It's a big change in Kerry ladies football.
"We were happy for her, but we'll miss her around the place."
O’Shea can look forward to the campaign fully fit and raring to go, a far cry from where she found herself 12 months previous.
A week out from 2023 All-Ireland semi-final against Mayo, O’Shea’s season came to a shuddering halt when she ruptured her cruciate ligament, a little over a year after the same injury in her other knee.
The Southern Gaels clubwoman was reduced to the role as spectator before returning to action for championship.
"To see the girls go well throughout the league was nice, but I was training away by myself with one goal in mind and that was to get back out playing because that's what I love to do," she says.
"I knew if I gave everything to my rehab that there was a chance that I'd get back for championship.
"Now, it was only a chance, everything had to go right, and thankfully it did because after losing the last two All-Irelands, all I wanted to do was get back on the pitch."
A repeat of last year’s league final is what awaits Kerry on Saturday (1.30pm). Armagh inflicted two defeats on the Kingdom in 2024 and their fast-running style with players breaking the lines will test the home defence at Austin Stack Park.
It will also be something of an adjustment for O’Shea without Quill and Long on the sideline. The pair called her into the minor squad and when they moved up to the senior team, O’Shea made the move with them. She has known no different in her adult Kerry career, but has been impressed by the new man at the helm.
"Mark has been brilliant so far, very knowledgeable," she says.
"He won't be looking to change too much from the way we've played over the last number of years.
"He's bringing in new ideas, and we're all trying to learn from him. Hopefully we can grow as a team and build that bit of connection with him throughout the league."
Watch Galway v Armagh in the Allianz Football League on Saturday from 4.45pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1.
