Scarlett Herron is using the bitter pain of last year's FAI Cup final defeat to fuel a drive for glory ahead of Shamrock Rovers' semi-final clash with Shelbourne this Saturday.
Herron was part of the vibrant Athlone Town team who went agonisingly close to landing a double in 2022.
Tommy Hewitt's surprise package pushed Shels to the bitter end in the title race, coming up just short as Noel King's experienced outfit won it on the final day. The Reds then rubbed salt into the wounds a week later when they beat Athlone 2-0 at Tallaght Stadium to lift the cup.
The landscape has since changed significantly.
Shamrock Rovers' return to the league really shook things up, with Athlone losing some key players to the Hoops, including current Republic of Ireland Under-19 International Player of the Year Herron, who made the move last July.
Still only 18, Herron has a maturity beyond her years. Losing the cup final was tough but she's determined to put it right, and believes her new team are well equipped to go all the way.
"Last year was a big learning curve for the whole team," Herron said when reflecting on Athlone's loss.
"I don't think any of us had been involved in an FAI Cup final before so it was a definitely a learning experience. That probably showed in the game, there was a bit of nerves there.
"Shelbourne, they were very experienced. They were in the cup final the year before as well, so I'll take that into this year.
"This year we've a lot of players who've been there, done that in the cup. That'll be great to have girls who have that experience as well. I think we're very prepared and ready for Saturday."
There's no question Shamrock Rovers possess the type of seasoned, quality footballers required to win top honours. Indeed Herron played with two of their biggest names - Stephanie Zambra and Aine O'Gorman - when starting off her career at Peamount United.
"They're two great girls," Herron said of the pair. "They have a wealth of experience. It's small things in training people wouldn't really notice. In the games as well they keep talking to you and guide you through it.
"Especially with Aine, having that World Cup experience, it's unbelievable. It's a privilege to play alongside them.
"I'm really enjoying it. The girls were so welcoming when I first came in. It's been absolutely amazing so far. It's such a professional environment to walk into, such experienced players and such a high calibre. It's been brilliant so far.
"We're all focused and ready. We played Shelbourne last week in the league so it'll be interesting to see what happens this weekend, but we're all looking forward to it."
The league looks beyond Rovers this year with Peamount United on the cusp of clinching it, but Collie O'Neill's charges are a coming force.
Shels have been the standard bearers in the division and it really is set up to be a titanic battle at Tallaght Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
For the Hoops, it's the perfect opportunity to show they are ready to displace the old guard.
"They're the double champions," Herron stressed. "You can't take that for granted. It's such a hard feat to achieve.
"We know the team we're coming up against this weekend, it's going to be a hard challenege, but every game we take as it comes. We just try to focus on the next one.
"We're looking forward to the game and we're trying to prepare as best we can to face the cup holders and the league champions."
SPORTS DIRECT FAI CUP SEMI-FINALS
Saturday 14 October
Shamrock Rovers v Shelbourne, 4pm
Sligo Rovers v Athlone Town, 6pm
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