When the names of under-20 players Aaron Niland, Sean Murphy and Jason Rabbitte are listed to Galway hurling captain Darren Morrissey, he is quick to pay tribute to this wave of exciting, new attacking talent that has also infused the senior squad.
But Sarsfield's clubman Morrissey is just as quick to extend the plaudits to others.
"The likes of Josh Ryan and Cillian Trayers have also come in over the last year or two and made a huge mark too – it’s these younger lads who have come in and driven everyone on," he tells RTÉ Sport.
"There is no pressure on them whatsoever but at the same time they are also pushing the more experienced lads who want to keep their jerseys - so it’s positive for the team overall."
Morrissey, who previously captained the Galway minors, is also honest about the impact that the new wave has had.
"We had to bring something different this season," he says.
"We wasted the last few years, being there or thereabouts but not driving on.
"With all the training we were doing you had to question then whether it was enjoyable to go out and not win.
"It wasn’t. We had a bit of soul searching over the winter and something had to change.
"Now that we are winning a few games everyone is more positive. Wins breed confidence, training becomes more enjoyable, more supporters come to games and when you meet people on the street they are more positive about it now.
"We had three wins and three losses in the league and we will take something from them all."
A review of the losses would ultimately land on scoring efficiency and allowing teams extended purple patches.
But Morrissey says the key to championship enjoyment will be bringing a more polished and efficient range of performances in the coming weeks.
After a limp 2025 campaign, there is renewable energy around Galway now.
Tidy young backs. Exciting young forwards. A lovely blend of youth and experience; of physicality and silky skills.
Kilkenny will arrive at Pearse Stadium on Saturday afternoon still chastened by the beating they got against Galway in the league. Kilkenny teams rarely allow successive below par rounds against the same opponent and will be likely to hit Salthill with thunder at the weekend.
Yet, Galway look well placed to absorb that.
They are steady and compact at the back and revel in space in attack.
There are obvious targets for direct ball into the inside forward line as well.
"It was a really positive league, we'd a few good performances, and we'd other performances where we weren't too happy with so now the ground is hardening, there is a bit of warmth in the air and the evenings are longer and it’s up to us to bring our positivity to the championship over the next few weeks," the captain adds.
Full-back Morrissey was handed the skipper’s armband for 2026 season on a Friday in mid-January and two days later he lifted the Walsh Cup, after they beat Dublin in the final.
"It’s a huge honour, something you dream of as a young lad, getting to lead out your team in the championship.
"I suppose I’m getting used to the label of being called captain now but we have great people in the squad all over the place.
"The trick for us now is to bring the good stuff from the league into the championship."
Watch a Munster Hurling Championship double-header, Clare v Waterford (2pm) and Tipperary v Cork (4pm), on Sunday from 1.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow our live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app and listen to Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
Watch The Sunday Game from 9.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on all matches on the RTÉ News app and on rte.ie/sport. Listen to Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
