DUBLIN forward Caoimhe O’Connor admits the Sky Blues’ hurt locker is bursting at the seams.
The Dubs suffered a shock All-Ireland quarter–final loss to Galway after extra-time last July, and they have been stewing over that result ever since.
In November, Mick Bohan stood down as boss after eight years in charge following a glittering second stint in the hotseat, which saw them claim their fourth All-Ireland in a row in 2020 and another in 2023.
The reins were then handed to Paul Casey and Derek Murray, and they surged to Leinster SFC glory against Meath last month at Croke Park.
Now all eyes are on getting the Brendan Martin Cup back. That journey started on Sunday when they drew their All-Ireland series round robin opener with Waterford.
The Blues sisters’ group is rounded out by Leitrim.
Prior to Sunday’s 1-13 apiece draw, O’Connor spoke about how the pain from last year lingers on within their panel.
She told SunSport: “I think there’s huge, huge hurt coming off the back of last year. No one wants to get knocked out in the quarter-final.
“But I think it’s just trying to shake that off, dealing with it at the time over the winter.
“You’re thinking back to what might have gone wrong or what we didn’t do so well and chatting it through. And I think over the winter, we were just going through it then.
“But then when we come back in for the new year and this group, it’s just trying to park it, but also using it as a positive in that we don’t want to have this feeling again.
“Getting knocked out by Galway last year in the quarter-final was obviously such a huge blow. We know the feeling of not being successful, and we also know the feeling of being successful.
“So it’s to try to get back to that place and really pushing on for the rest of the summer.
“We’ve got a great squad and a great group of girls, and we all drive each other on.”
With new faces in the dugout, plenty of familiar ones are still delivering on the pitch.
Stalwart Hannah Tyrrell, 34, fired 1-4 in their 2-13 to 1-12 win over Meath as O’Connor lined out in their back six alongside Leah Caffrey, Martha Byrne and Lauren Magee.
Seven-time All-Star winner Sinéad Goldrick, 35, missed the bulk of their 2024 campaign as she lined out with AFLW giants Melbourne, but has ended her six-year stint Down Under to fully focus on the Dubs.
Clontarf ace O’Connor made her SFC debut in 2019 — and believes that experience will be vital if they are to go all the way in 2025.
She said: “Oh yeah, it’s huge. Obviously, girls staying around and sticking with it and having the experience . . . the likes of Hannah Tyrrell, Carla Rowe and Goldie coming back in.
“I just think Goldie brings a different sort of energy and drive and strength to the squad.
“So having her in with us has been huge since she’s come back, so we’re delighted that she came back to us this year.
“I suppose just her hunger and her drive and her determination and obviously her experience of playing with us for the last few years.
“Then Leah and Martha, they’ve all been around for a long time. I think having the experience is huge and having them still around is such a plus for us.
“And then I think that comes also with the young girls coming in and having their drive. So it’s a good mix of youth and experience.”
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