Aidan Branagan has plenty of miles on the clock, but the Kilcoo joint captain has never experienced the vibe that has the Down underdogs straining at the leash right now.
Branagan, 36, a shepherd in the small rural village tucked beside the Mourne mountains, leads his team into battle against Ballyboden St Enda's in the All-Ireland SFC semi-final on Saturday.
They have defied all the odds under the astute management of Mickey Moran, claiming a first ever Ulster crown at the start of December thanks to a narrow win over Naomh Conaill at Healy Park.
Their march through county and province has sparked euphoria among the tightknit community, and now they're dreaming big.
"It's been really good for the parish," Branagan told RTÉ Sport's Brian Carthy.
"There's a great buzz about the place. Everybody sort of forgot about Christmas! We're in bonus territory.
"The club set up a policy for youth 25, 26 years ago. Since then it's kicked on and we've been winning from underage right through. Now it's coming out in the seniors.
"It's taken a long time but for them men that started it off it's absolutely fantastic. Every game, before we even got out of Down, has been tough the whole way. We've really enjoyed it."
Branagan puts their success down to a ferocious desire, a stubborn grit and the nous of Moran.
"We don't give up. There's been two or three games we've had our collars pinned against the wire and we've got out of jail.
"Every manager we've ever had has has has a big part in us winning (Ulster), but you have to take your hat off to Mickey, he took us over the line. There's a newfound confidence in a lot of player on the team that I've never seen play so well. He's really taken them out of their shell."
"He has a fantastic way with the boys, one on one. It's trust and respect."
On Saturday evening at Kingspan Breffni Park, they face their biggest challenge yet.
But no matter what happens against Ballyboden, Branagan believes this current crop have already left an enduring mark on the area.
"There's only a thousand people and it is a very, very rural place. There's nothing else to do except for Gaelic football. That's it. We're all in.
"It's a very beautiful area. We're looking out over the lake, the Mourne mountains are the backdrop behind it. It's a special place to be living.
"The next game is a mighty game. They are a fantastic team, a fantastic club but they are just the same as everyone else. They'll have 15 men on the field, We'll see how we get on."
