Pearl Slattery says Shelbourne are still in dreamland after an incredible climax to the Women's National League season.
Noel King's team looked out of the title race two weeks ago, with Peamount United requiring one win from their last two games to retain the crown. However a surprise draw with DLR Waves opened the door for Shels, who beat Wexford Youths in their final match just as Peamount fell to a remarkable 5-2 home loss against Galway United.
Cue pandemonium in Tolka Park, with Shels now floating into Sunday's EVOKE.ie FAI Cup final showdown with Wexford Youths on a cloud of euphoria and eyeing up the double.
"I think everyone's just buzzing," captain Slattery said.
"Honestly, I've been with the girls all weekend. It's dreamy stuff, we can't believe it.
"The league could've been over two weeks ago but we got the buzz of the finale at the weekend. In our wildest dreams, we couldn't imagine that. We always knew it could be possible, but we didn't really think that could happen.
"I was very strong with the girls - we were strong as a group - just saying, 'look we can only do our own job, because if we slip up and they slip up, we'd be sick'. We just didn't want that to happen.
"You could obviously hear the crowd at times and you start to wonder, 'is this really happening?'. It's just incredible, really. It's the stuff of dreams to win it at Tolka Park and so dramatically."
"That's why the girls have been training so hard since February. It's why you miss out on things with families and friends over the year. It's for these moments, these weeks."
There hasn't been much time to savour the triumph. Shels get back to work today ahead of a massive meeting with Stephen Quinn's formidable Wexford Youths, a side stacked with experienced players who've been there and worn the T-shirt when it comes to winning the cup.
Wexford Youths finished third in the league, six points off Shels, and Slattery is braced for a serious battle.
"The Wexford and Shels games are always close. I thought we were excellent on Saturday night and I think that will give them a push now for this week. They know now that we can beat them.
"We were comfortable at times. I think the cup final will be different. As I said, they knew they couldn't win the league on Saturday night.
"The cup final, it's one game. Anything can happen. We're in the same position and will try to enjoy ourselves and try to win the cup."
Slattery, now 32, has made considerable strides into coaching. She has a UEFA A License and doubles up as an assistant coach to the Ireland Women's U17s.
Asked if honing her coaching skills has changed how she approaches playing the game, the Dubliner added: "It has actually. I'm one of the more experienced players, and I'm trying to do my badges while I'm still playing. So I do want to go into a coaching role after that.
"I think doing coaching courses has helped me. It's helped me see the game differently and it also lets me analyse my games when watching them back.
"I'm at the UEFA A License stage. I'm delighted to be at that while I'm still playing. I'm 32 now, I don't know how many more years I'll go for, but I'll definitely appreciate what I can do.
"When you're doing your badges, you're doing them for a reason. I've always loved coaching, that team environment. I've thought about one day putting myself in the position to be a coach or a manager. It could be club level, international, or academy - I don't know, but when I finish playing, I'll definitely go into coaching."
For now though Slattery's focus is solely on collecting as much silver as possible.
She insists Shels aren't feeling under pressure to complete a double and swatted aside any suggestion there may be a hangover this weekend after the high of their title win.
With the league already sorted, King's charges are relaxed and confident.
"If anyone asked me at the start of the season over whether we'd like to win the league or the cup, the league's always what you want to win. You want to go to Europe and you want to be league champions after a long season.
"We'll go in with freedom. We want to win - of course we do - we want to win the double. We want to win the cup but there's no pressure on us and we can go and enjoy the day now.
"Our girls are on such a high. They're a brilliant group; so professional.
"To win a league title together at Tolka Park so dramatically, it's something that as a group, we'll never forget. We're on a high and we're rolling into cup final and it's stuff you dream of as a player.
"That's why the girls have been training so hard since February. It's why you miss out on things with families and friends over the year. It's for these moments, these weeks. We'll enjoy every minute of it."
Fresh from claiming a dramatic Women's National League, Shelbourne are now going in search of a league and cup double as they face Wexford in the FAI Women's Cup final which will be live on RTÉ #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/uVHMNp7pm6
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) November 15, 2021
Follow Shelbourne v Wexford Youths on Sunday, 5.30pm, via our liveblog on RTÉ.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app, watch live on RTÉ 2 and the RTÉ Player or listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1 Extra.
