Katie Keane has only recently turned 17, but the Athlone Town goalkeeper exudes a quiet confidence that will give the midlanders belief they can go all the way in this year's Sports Direct FAI Cup.
Last year Athlone were beaten 2-0 by Shelbourne in the final at Tallaght Stadium as they ended a brilliant campaign without any silverware. That was tough; Athlone had also finished second in the league to Shels and had been a breath of fresh air all season.
To compound the disappointment, they lost a number of key players to rival clubs over the course of the winter, with boss Tommy Hewitt ultimately stepping away last June, to be replaced by Ciaran Kilduff.
However they've been galvanised by a run to the cup semi-finals, with Sligo Rovers standing in their way as they look to get back to the showpiece decider.
"There's plenty of excitement in the camp," says 17-year-old Keane, Kilduff's first signing along with another goalkeeper, American Kat Hess.
"Sligo are a great team, it's going to be a great game, we're all going to prepare the exact same way as we would for any other team. It's another game in the books, it's our sole focus and we are looking forward to it big time."
Keane came to Athlone from Shels' underage setup. She's an established underage international and was called into Vera Pauw's senior training camp in Marbella in February ahead of the friendly against China.
"It's been an amazing move," she adds. "I love the girls, it's a great atmosphere. Coming from Shels, they were amazing girls as well and I loved every minute with them. To be in a new scene it's incredible. There's such a good buzz.
"It was always going to be a tricky decision [to leave Shels]. At the end of the day it was the best decision I could make for myself as well as for the team. 'Pearlo' [Pearl Slattery] is such an amazing captain at Shels.
"Shelbourne are an incredible team, double winners last year, in the Champions League last year and this year."
The camp in Marbella gave her the chance to rub shoulders with the likes of Courtney Brosnan, Grace Moloney and Megan Walsh - quality, seasoned goalkeepers who quickly showed her the ropes.
"It was an absolutely brilliant experience," she remembers.
"To be around such incredible players incredible staff... to get that experience, unbelievable.
"You learn so much. Courtney, what a role model. I remember going into camp and she was right there at the door and gave me a hug going in. You learn so much from [goalkeeper coach] Jan [Willem van Ede], Courtney, Grace, Megan.
"They are so professional. As soon as you're in, you're in. You're not just a newcomer, you are part of that team."
The future looks bright for Keane, She's still in school, and is interested in studying physiotherapy in college. Football is the dream though, with an FAI Cup triumph top of the agenda.
"All we want to do is win, we want to go as far as we can," she says.
"There's plenty of girls there from last year. Laurie [Ryan] is our captain - what a captain, what a girl. She is absolutely incredible. She literally took me under her wing and was so welcoming, absolutely phenomenal.
"Going into this game on Saturday, we're really up for it, we really want it. We're going to try our very, very best."
SPORTS DIRECT FAI CUP SEMI-FINALS
Saturday 14 October
Shamrock Rovers v Shelbourne, 4pm
Sligo Rovers v Athlone Town, 6pm
Watch Republic of Ireland v Greece in Euro 2024 qualifying on Friday from 7pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to live radio commentary on 2fm's Game On
