The disappointment of losing out to Kilmacud Crokes in last year's Dublin SHC semi-finals helped kickstart Cuala's season according to Sean Moran.
There was also the added jolt of a new manager in Willie Maher. The Tipp man replaced All-Ireland winning boss Mattie Kenny who had moved to succeed Pat Gilroy as Dublin hurling manager.
"Willie came in - Willie is a fantastic manager - he picked up from Mattie, it seamlessly transferred over," said Moran at the launch of the AIB Club and Camogie Championships.
"He had a great first year with Cuala, winning the League and the Championship. I guess it is a slightly new style, but there is a lot of similarities between the two of them as well. It is nothing too drastic.
"He came in and he had a very clear vision for us. He trusts us a lot. There's that great relationship between the players and the management that ultimately we want the same thing and he trusts us that we're going to put in the work we need.
"Equally we trust him that he's going to get everything in place for us to perform at the best we can. It's really good and it's really important to have that working relationship with the management team.
"We are well aware that these days won't last forever so we definitely want to enjoy it and make the most of it, and make as much of it as we can."
Cuala and Dublin senior hurler Sean Moran poses for a portrait at the launch of the AIB Camogie and Club Championships. Photo by Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile
Cuala face Carlow champions Naomh Moling on Sunday in the quarter-finals of the Leinster Championship. Having won four of the past five Dublin titles, Leinster and hurling into November is a situation to which Cuala's players are well accustomed.
"The pitches are a bit heavier, they get cut up a bit more so the game slows down a little bit," said Moran.
"The ball won't move as quick and games are probably more physical in the winter months as well so you have to be ready for that and be able to bring that. You have to have that side of your game as well. In the summer they tend to be a lot quicker games, fast-moving.
"We've played in some really tough matches and come out the right side of them. When we find ourselves in those situations, we can draw on that experience.
"It's valuable to know that we've been in similar situations before and we can see this through. That experience we have of playing in the Leinster and All-Ireland championships has been crucial."
This is AIB’s 29th year sponsoring the AIB GAA Football, Hurling and their 7th year sponsoring the Camogie Club Championships. For exclusive content and behind the scenes action throughout the AIB GAA & Camogie Club Championships follow AIB GAA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat.
