Galway star Ailbhe Davoren is hoping Kilmacud Crokes can make it back to the All-Ireland club final and ease another year of her pain at inter-county level.
The South Dublin club reached their first senior club decider 11 months ago but were beaten by her county women Kilkerrin-Clonberne, who secured their fourth consecutive crown. Four months earlier, Galway had lost the All-Ireland final to Kerry.
"In terms of two [disappointments] in the one year, it can be more difficult," Davoren told RTÉ Sport.
"The goal is to get there, and you have to not look at every season as a failure if you don't win an All- Ireland.
"We will take some pride in getting to those finals. How you pick yourself back up is believing that you can get back there again and get another chance."
This year, the Tribeswomen were beaten by Dublin in the All-Ireland semi-final, but only after the eventual champions had a last-gasp free contentiously brought forward, allowing Hannah Tyrrell to force extra time.
"Tough when you're on the wrong side of decisions as well," said Davoren. "We did feel it was harsh at the time. In terms of the movement of the ball into a scoring position.
"But we could have got more in the game at different stages. With games, you can't leave it up to the referee. You have to have enough scores on the board to finish out a game.
"Dublin are a brilliant side. They went on an extra-time to beat us and went on to perform in the All-Ireland so fair play to them.
"We do feel closer to that, in terms of the last couple of seasons. It shows you how hard it is, to get there, and to win one.
"I probably haven't reflected on [the loss to Kilkerrin-Clonberne] fully yet. If we beat Monyeglass [on Sunday], I'll do a much stronger reflection on it.
"I suppose we were disappointed we couldn't get over the line. We put up a good battle over the last couple of years and all we can do is focus on ourselves and try and be the best we can be on the day if we get back there
The former Ireland underage international still plays basketball, and junior camogie, when back home in Maigh Cuilinn (Moycullen) but is well settled at Kilmacud, which is also home to some other Galway transplants, after three years.
"It's an extremely welcoming club," she said. "I suppose if you join any team, you're trying to integrate and be the best you can be.
"But the transition was very easy. Dearbhla [Gower] from Galway was already playing with Kilmacud and the players were just so accepting. The management there and the girls made me feel so welcome.
"Extremely humble players in the team that just build their game on hard work. So if you just show any element of that hard work, which I hopefully do, you can get on.
"There's a great community there in the club bar after and things like that. It's great to get to know lots of people. There'll be a great crowd there on Sunday hopefully as well."
Crokes, who also have a high-profile Maor Uisce in The Sunday Game presenter Jacqui Hurley - "She's heavily involved and a great friend to many on the team" - are back in the last four after another tight Dublin final win over St Sylvester's (two points in 2025, one in 2024) and a fourth consecutive Leinster triumph.
"We were tested in both [championships]," insisted Davoren.
"The Dublin championship is always a battle. It's a brilliant championship. It's actually quite free-flowing in the reffing. It's very good, extremely physical. We ran a really close final again, which was extremely exciting, maybe to watch but not to play it.
"Again, some good battles in Leinster as well. We had four games back-to-back, which was challenging on the body.
"We're happy now with the three-week preparation into this All-Ireland semi-final on Sunday."
While Kilkerrin-Clonberne will be expected to get past first-time Munster winners Comeragh Rangers, Crokes somewhat more of an unknown quantity in St Ergnat's Moneyglass - the first Antrim club to claim the Ulster title.
"Any footage we have got, they look extremely strong," said Davoren.
"They are very good in possession. It's their first Ulster title, so they'll be buzzing and ready to go.
"Hopefully, we'll match that energy on Sunday and it'll be a good game.
"We're at home, which is brilliant. It's a lovely big pitch. It'll allow for a nice kicking-style game. Hopefully, it won't look like a winter match on Sunday."
