Fortune favours the brave and it reaped rewards for Gavan Holohan on Wednesday night as he twice stood up to take a penalty on an FA Cup outing at Premier League side Southampton.
Against all odds, a team from the old fourth division, Grimsby Town, knocked out their esteemed top tier opponents with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the Saints at St Mary's.
And it was the former Cork City midfielder Holohan who proved the difference between the two sides as his spot-kick brace sent the Mariners through to the quarter-finals, the first decision coming courtesy of a handball spotted by the video assistant referee.
Nothing fishy about this particular maritime marauding, as Grimsby have cast their net wide throughout this season's FA Cup and put many bigger fries in their place, hooking Championship side Luton, and League 1 trio Plymouth, Cambridge United and Burton Albion ahead of their south coast catch.
"For players playing at our level, you can only dream of days like this," said Holohan, speaking to ITV after the game.
"We had to work unbelievably hard. Lucky there is VAR in the FA Cup or we might have been in a bit of trouble.
"We had to ride our luck a little bit but we knew that would be the case. To a man, we put in an unbelievable shift and I'm so happy for everyone."
It's seven goals now for the season for the established Grimsby midfielder, who also bagged a goal in the previous round against Luton Town.
"The harder I practice, the luckier I get," remarked famed South African golfer, Gary Player, and so it applied to Holohan who admitted that some early morning target practice had paid dividends ahead of the game.
"I fancy myself for a goal, like I always do, but maybe not a brace, and definitely not two penalties.
"You never plan to take two because it’s very rare for that to happen. I actually practiced a few in training, so lucky I did and it paid off. It’s such a special night and definitely one you dream of.
Giggsy v Arsenal 99 season semi final was my first proper memory of the cup I dreamt of nights like this & what a special group to do it with. the mariners in the quarter finals of the FA Cup now who says the magic of the cup is dead 🪄 🎩 🏆🐟🖤🤍 @officialgtfc pic.twitter.com/u7hSgCuk6Q
— Gavan Holohan (@Gav_Holohan34) March 2, 2023
"The fans we brought on a Wednesday night, it was an unbelievable turnout," added Holohan, in recognition of the 4,000 plus fans that travelled cross country to cheer on the League 2 outfit.
"I’m just glad for them, all the players and staff and everyone involved with the club. I’m proud to play for this club. It’s a family club, everyone’s in it together. It means everything to the community. We’re just glad we could give something back."
Holohan also revealed on social media that a lifelong Ryan Giggs-inspired dream had come true as he picked up the player of the match award following the historic Cup victory.
"Giggsy v Arsenal 1999 semi-final was my first proper memory of the cup," he also wrote on Twitter.
"I dreamt of nights like this and what a special group to do it with. The Mariners in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, now who says the magic of the cup is dead."
Grimsby will now face Brighton for a place in this year's semi-finals.
