Declan Quill: Few expected us to be here or within an ass's roar of it

Kerry joint-manager Quill reckons beating Armagh in the Division 2 league final in April, courtesy of a Danielle O'Leary inspired second-half onslaught, alerted the players to their full potential

BELIEF: Kerry joint-managers Darragh Long, left, and Declan Quill celebrate after the semi-final win over Mayo. Quill says even within their own group they might not have believed they could get this far. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Initially at least, it was perhaps only Declan Quill and Darragh Long that truly believed a TG4 All-Ireland ladies title was on the cards for Kerry this year.

Quill, joint manager with Long, recalls the calendar of dates for the Championship being published and quickly reverting to the players with an order not to book any holidays until after July 31, the date of the final.