Dylan Connolly has seen both sides of the Sports Direct FAI Cup final; losing the 2017 showpiece final to Cork before coming back a year later as part of the Dundalk squad to reverse the result at the Aviva Stadium.
The Dubliner would then leave Stephen Kenny's all-conquering side to try his luck once again across the water signing for AFC Wimbledon, and later Bradford, St Mirren, Northampton and Morecambe, before returning to the League of Ireland.
Back at the club where it all began, and while it has been an eventful season at Bohemians, the prodigal son made quite the impact as he grabbed the goal that sent the Dalymount Park club back to the Aviva Stadium.
And now Connolly is looking forward to testing himself on the big stage once again in the blue riband event on the Irish club footballing calendar.
"Every player loves the big stage and want to prove to people that they can show up on the big stage," said Connolly, speaking to RTÉ Sport ahead of Sunday’s encounter with St Patrick’s Athletic.
"I’ve been lucky enough to have won here before, and I also lost here before, but another trophy on my CV wouldn’t be bad."
Connolly has struck up a fine partnership with leading goalscorer Jonathan Afolabi in his first year back at the club, and while he is oft looked on as the playmaker in the partnership, he says that in reality it just comes down to hard work and no lack of heart.
"I wear my heart on my sleeve and I’m one of those players that relies on my heart and my determination. That’s what has got me through my career, a lot of heart and a lot of desire and that’s what I want to do on Sunday.
"Jon (Afolabi) is a great player, and once you give him the service, he will score goals and that’s all I can do and try to help him as much as I can."
Connolly accepts that, considering the start, Bohemians should have placed a lot higher than sixth in the league table, however, he is convinced that a Cup victory on Sunday will more than make up for the bottom-half finish in the Premier Division.
And he feels that the manager is one of the main reasons why they have a chance to add some silverware to the Dalymount trophy cabinet, saying that he creates an infectious atmosphere around the club.
"We’re a new group and we probably should have finished higher, but if we get the job done on Sunday then no one will be complaining," said Connolly.
"The manager has been brilliant for me, and he fills everyone with confidence, and you can see the passion he has on the sidelines. You reallyu fuel off it and you want to fight for him every game, it’s contagious."
And looking ahead to the Cup final, Connolly is using his experience to help the dressing room prepare for the big occasion and is hoping that more of that aforementioned heart and desire will help reap rewards for his team-mates in the season-ending encounter.
"It’s a special occasion, they don’t come around too often so you have to enjoy these moments, because you might not play in one again," said Connolly.
"So you have to enjoy it, work as hard as you can and hope you get the reward."
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Watch the FAI Cup final, Bohemians v St Patrick's Athletic, on Sunday from 2pm 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 Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1.
