Cáit Lynch thought Kerry days were over before return to panel after Covid-19

Leaving for work in 2016, the dream for Kerry's Cáit Lynch to lift the Brendan Maher cup in Croke Park looked like it was gone, but her dream came true last August.

The 32-year-old moved to the Netherlands in 2016 for work, having been captain of Kerry in 2015, the last time Lynch was captain before this season.

As the years went by, the Kerry woman's changes of returning for the kingdom were fading, as she was reduced to playing recreational Gaelic football in Amsterdam.

However, after the Covid-19 pandemic, Lynch found herself back in Ireland, and soon back in a Kerry jersey.

"I thought the county days had passed me until Covid happened.

"“I had to make the decision to leave for work (in 2016) so it was a very big decision at the time. They put down a good few tough years as well when I was away, so I was lucky enough to come back when I did."

Lynch was key for Kerry last season as they won their first All-Ireland title since 1993 when they defeated Galway last August.

Before August, there was final defeats to Dublin and Meath, as they had to dig deep to overcome heartbreak.

"Every year, you have to believe that you can win.

"The bigger the belief and the bigger the loss, the bigger the hurt as well. It was very tough to come back, but I suppose the motivation nearly grew every year as well. Especially in the two previous years where we'd gotten to finals, we knew we were so close.

"There were just a few little changes or small things that could be changed that we think, right, maybe this could be the year then. I do think, as tough as it is, the motivation does actually grow.

"That's what kept us going for so long as well."

Two competitions down so far this season, and Kerry have two pieces of silverware.

The Kingdom