Galway begin their Allianz Hurling League campaign on February 26 against reigning champions Dublin and Joe Canning is under no illusion as to the importance of hitting the ground running.
Canning heads into his fifth season of inter-county hurling with the Tribesmen on Sunday when Galway, now under the guidance of Anthony Cunningham, take on UCD in Belfield in the Walsh Cup.
"It's going to be tough because a lot of teams in the last couple of years have been treating the league a lot more seriously than before and it's almost getting into championship pace at the moment," Canning said.
"So, if you can get one or two early wins under your belt, you'd be happy enough with that."
However, truth be told, it is hurling in August that really interests the Portumna clubman, who has yet to take to the field in an All-Ireland semi-final.
"You'd dream about those kind of things, playing in an All-Ireland final. I am playing senior hurling now for the past four years and I haven't played in an All-Ireland semi-final yet. I haven't played in August yet for Galway. I suppose that's frustrating, but that's life, you have to stay plugging away."