Galway senior football captain Shane Walsh.
By Cian O'Connell
"It was a mental challenge in a way, I suppose, different to what you're normally used to," Galway captain Shane Walsh says about the four month stint when collective training and matches weren't on the agenda.
That was a tough spell for so many, but those with an interest in sport tried to find coping mechanisms.
Small, but important steps were taken, and Walsh acknowledges that some joy was found in the journey eventually.
"I thought the way we all set ourselves up through our WhatsApp - WhatsApp is a great thing these days - and we all kept in touch," Walsh adds.
"Everyone was driving each other on and I think that really helped when you were at home training by yourself, trying to do your bit in the back lawn it makes it so much easier when you see other players doing the same thing.
"That's what fuels the group, that's what fuels the belief in what we're trying to do.
"While it was a challenge, it was actually an enjoyable one as it turns out because you kind of feared the worst, but once we got into it it was very enjoyable."
The value and relevance of sport has been underlined too in this strange and uncertain spell with Sunday's Connacht SFC Final between Galway and Mayo loaded with significance.
Galway's Shane Walsh in Allianz Football League action against Dublin last month.
"I see it in the bank the whole time," Walsh remarks. "It's the topic on everyone's lips. That's what it was nearly always during the summer. 'Will the football go ahead?', 'Do you think there will be people at it?' That's what it was during the summer.
"There's so many people out there who are looking forward to these games and that's what they want to talk about. Even the Cork-Kerry game on Sunday, the excitement it brought. People are talking about it, it's on everyone's lips.
"It means so much - the GAA. It's a huge thing in Ireland and for Irish people abroad. Everyone is looking to see it; everyone is excited about it. Hopefully we can add a bit more excitement in the Galway colours on Sunday."
Galway and Mayo's enduring rivalry means considerable interest surrounds every meeting involving the counties.
"I can only judge on what I've played in, but there's a huge rivalry there between Galway and Mayo," Walsh admits.
"Supporters have had a huge impact on it as well, you have that atmosphere at the games.
"That's going to be different on Sunday, like it was in the League game. It's up to the players on the pitch to pull out that performance. No one can turn to the supporters to get you going, you have to get yourself going. It is a massive thing, the Galway-Mayo rivalry."
The same as it ever was.
