After a spring counting injuries, a rejuvenated Galway are now bouncing into the summer with a pep in their step.
Padraic Joyce cut a joyous figure at full-time in the Connacht final, with goalkeeper Connor Gleeson's late, late free ensuring a provincial three-in-a-row for the Tribesmen.
Afterwards he explained the difficulties during the league – "it's been a troublesome year for us" made the victory all the sweeter, with a number of his returning stars swinging the game in their favour.
While injuries are part and parcel of the game, Galway were dealing with a crippling absentee list.
At least 14 players missed league action due to injury, and it was the calibre of player ruled out that really stung.
Four of their five 2022 All-Stars were significantly sidelined. Damien Comer and Cillian McDaid did not play a minute during the league, Liam Silke appeared just once.
While it allowed the likes of Cillian Ó Curraoin, Liam Ó Conghaile, Jack McCabe and Patrick Egan more exposure at the top level, it was significant that it was the main men, still on the comeback trail, that steered the ship home against Mayo when victory appeared to be going the way of the visitors.
"If they can keep all of their players fit and get them up to that level of match fitness, they’re fresh," he said.
"They’re coming into the championship completely fresh. They’re in great shape.
"Sean Kelly will need a bit more football to get up to his top level, Shane Walsh similarly will benefit from what he got the last day. Cillian McDaid is back in, Matthew Tierney looked very good when he came on.
"I know they would have been gnashing their teeth going through the league and they would have been impatient, but with everyone back and fit, they are going to be a handful."
Fitzmaurice was also impressed by Joyce’s decision to keep two up top at all times against Mayo. Player of the match Comer caused all sorts of bother against Kevin McStay’s men, while Rob Finnerty hit three from play to go along with his five frees in a highly industrious performance.
"They played Damien Comer close to goal and kept him close to goal for the whole game," Fitzmaurice said.
"He came out and won a few kickouts, but in the past we have seen him go all the ways back to defence, tackling, being part of counter attacks.
"But Rob Finnerty and himself stayed up and they had shape to use him (Comer) then. Galway were able to kick ball inside
"The way he played, you’d be saying keep him as close to goals as much as you can."
Galway will begin their All-Ireland SFC group stage campaign at home to Derry at 5.30pm on Saturday 18 May. Their hurlers are in Leinster SHC action in Antrim at 3.30pm on the same day.
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