Last month at Croke Park Sean Kelly had a flashback to the disappointment of six months earlier when Galway lost to Kerry in the All-Ireland final. That day in early January also ended in disappointment at the stadium as Kelly's club Moycullen were defeated by Glen in the All-Ireland senior club semi-final.
"Two tough losses to be honest, and it was a good year, All-Ireland finals is where you want to be, but obviously we didn’t get the job finished so there’s still disappointment and even more hunger in the group now," Kelly said at the announcement of Allianz’s new sponsorship of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship.
"It’s about taking the next step and improving on everything. We can’t do the same, we have to do better this year in terms of training or away from training and what matters in games.
"I wouldn’t have watched [the All-Ireland final] back straight away but if you don’t review it... you have to look where you can improve for the year. It’s something you should thrive off as well, really. Try to get better and better no matter what you’re doing. It’s something we look to do.
"It’s not an easy job and there’s a lot of honest conversations whether it’s with teammates or yourself. It’s those conversations that are needed, those tough talks are needed to improve a team and get better and that’s something we will look to do to try and improve.
"You can’t shy away from talking or voicing your opinions. Nobody is going to hold anything against you or judge you for what you say. It’s something you need in the group, basically.
"Obviously just add fresh voices and honest opinions. If you’re thinking something, say it. If you’re wrong, you’re wrong. If you’re right, it’s a conversation to have.
"It should be in every group, really. It’s tough to get it out of everyone, obviously. Not everyone is comfortable speaking in groups or whatever it is so it’s trying to get that out of everyone and push yourself on."
5 February 2023; Sean Kelly of Galway in action against Conor Cox of Roscommon during the Allianz Football League Division 1 match between Galway and Roscommon at Pearse Stadium in Galway. Photo by Ray Ryan/Sportsfile
Kelly, and others from Moycullen in the Galway panel - like his brothers Eoghan and Paul - missed the majority of pre-season training while they were on club duty.
'I just want to be wearing a Galway jersey'
"Before the start of the League we came in and would have missed a lot of that pre-season when you would have been doing heavy weights," said Galway captain Kelly.
"Especially when you're going with the club you're just trying to get your body as explosive as you can be so you're probably missing out on that and it's something I'm looking to get into my training in the coming weeks so I don't fall behind on anything and can improve stuff I want to."
Last season, the fullback line was Kelly's station. Where it will be this year, he's still unsure.
"If it is full-back I'll gladly give my all there," he said.
"Especially in the full-back line it's more explosive off the mark work. In the middle third it's more longer distance runs at a certain speed. In the full-back line it's short sprints, five yards, and a bit more turning. There's a lot of skills that you use all around the pitch, whether it's footwork or shielding with your body.
"As a favourite position, it's still attacking from deep obviously. You're going against forwards that maybe don't want to do much defending so it could be a bit easier.
"But also I played a bit wing-back the last day [in the league against Roscommon] which is more of an attacking role but you're up against more defensive minded, stronger wing-forwards so finding the in between. I don't actually know yet. Maybe I'll figure it out in the coming weeks. I just want to be wearing a Galway jersey."
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