Having started the season slowly, Kerry goalkeeper Mary Ellen Bolger has been encouraged by recent performances as the All-Ireland championship is underway.
Kerry just avoided relegation to Division Two and were defeated by Waterford in the Munster championship as they struggle to pick up form.
However, an encouraging display in the final to defeat Waterford, followed by a win against Tipperary to get their championship campaign underway, means the Kingdom now have reasons to be hopeful.
The performances between the sticks by Bolger saw her win PwC GAA/GPA Player of the Month for May, as she saw the provincial decider as the turning point for the team.
"I think confidence was a small bit down after the league campaign, and went down again after losing to Waterford in round one of the Munster, that was the second time we lost to them this year.
"It is a great boost to win Munster. The last time we won three in a row was in the 1980s; it is great to have another medal in the back pocket going into the championship.
"When I was growing up, Cork were dominating Munster, and dominating the All-Ireland, so Kerry were only winning Munster's every so often."
After winning the All-Ireland in 2024, Kerry ended a drought of over 30 years for the Brendan Martin Cup when they defeated Galway in the final.
For the first time for this generation, Kerry were chasing back-to-back All-Irelands but came up short to Meath in the semi-finals.
Having tasted All-Ireland success in 2024, that feeling is one Bolger is determined to get back.
"We were probably confident going into that semi-final and then lost. Not really surprising because Meath are a good team, but I just think that hurt drives you on a bit more.
"Personally, I didn't feel any sort of pressure or anything like that. Last year was tough for us because we lost a good few players, and legends of Kerry ladies football. We had a bit of a rebuilding year."
Up next for Kerry is a trip to Kildare, part of a double-header with the men's side.
The win last weekend over Tipperary showed Kerry,and indeed Bolger, look to be peaking at the right time, as Bolger looks forward to a big crowd in Newbridge.
Competing with Ciara Butler for a starting place, Bolger looks to be winning the battle for now.
"It is a double header with the men's that is sold out, so there should be a decent enough crowd. We play Kildare at the league, and there was a big noise from the home crowd that day.
"Me and Ciara are the same age, there's only two months between us so we've played with Kerry underage and with the seniors for a good few years now.
"I got the nod to start in the Munster final and had a decent enough performance, but the backs were outstanding that day. Waterford are a very tough team to play against because they are a running team, so it's easy to concede goals.
"Our backs played very well. They looked for the kickouts, so that helped."
