By Cian O’Connell

With a special bond forged, momentum generated, and silverware being accumulated this is a particularly exciting time for the Kerry ladies football team.

Saturday’s emphatic Division One league final triumph over Galway at Croke Park illustrated Kerry’s significant progress.

An inter-county footballer since 2008, Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh is adamant that this is an encouraging spell for the Kingdom.

Kerry have improved dramatically under Declan Quill and Darragh Long’s joint management with the league campaign providing further evidence of the development following an impressive 2022.

“I think when we met as a group first back in November or whenever we set our goals and stuff,” Ní Mhuircheartaigh says.

“One of the goals was to stay up in Division One, it took us long enough to get up there. To win Division Two last year was great, we just wanted to stay up in Division One. After our performance and win against Dublin we realised, hang on a minute, we can actually make a final here.

“That instilled something powerful in us, that we could make a final. We always go game by game. Since our new management came in that is very much what they stick to and hold by - game by game.

“I think we learned in every single game that we played in the league - that carried us forward into the final. Thankfully everything clicked on the day, we had a great day out.”

The fact that so many counties can be classed as contenders for All-Ireland senior glory matters deeply too.

“We spent many years there where it was either going to be between Cork or Dublin,” Ní Mhuircheartaigh responds. “Since Meath did what they did - the last two years, showed every single team that it can be done and all it takes is a bit of belief.

“That's what our management have been trying to instill in us, that inner-belief and that belief in the group that we can do it. It's very, very exciting.

"Look, you couldn't call the championship at all, there's so many teams that are very strong. It's going to be a great championship, it's very exciting.”

How have Kerry created such a bond and tight knit group in recent years? “I think it really is coming down to the management that we have,” she says.

“They bring a lot of craic to training every time, as well as their professionalism and love of the game and their passion. We just gel.

“There's a mixture there between young and old, but when we're in that dressing room and on that pitch together, we're all the same age really at heart.

“Look, we try to have a bit of craic together and I think that goes a long way as well. It sometimes takes away from the pressure and the stress that can be brought on by games at times.

“It's a very special bond that we have, it's a very special place to be involved and I'm very happy that I'm still there with that team, being part of it.”

The fun and enjoyment aspect is critical according to Ní Mhuircheartaigh. “Yeah, 100%,” she says.

“If you weren't enjoying it, I don't think there's any point in you going there. There was many years there that times were tough, we weren't winning games and there was no enjoyment in it.

“You were wearing the jersey for the love of the game and for the sake of it, but now I think having that bit of craic and taking the biscuit out of each other very often is special.

“It's important, I feel as well, to have that craic, it kind of alleviates the stress and pressures that can be brought on by games and stuff.”

The approach is working well in Kerry.