Hannah Healy didn't have to look too far for inspiration when she was growing up in Balbriggan.
The north Co Dublin town has produced senior Republic of Ireland internationals Sonya Hughes, Diane Caldwell and Emily Whelan, with Healy well on track to follow in their footsteps.
The Shelbourne midfielder is just 15 years old but she's had a breakthrough season having being elevated to the first team by Noel King. Now, Healy is dreaming of capping a fine campaign with glory in the Sports Direct FAI Cup final when the Reds square up to Ciaran Kilduff's Athlone Town.
"It is exciting but I'm also nervous obviously because it is the biggest game I have ever played in," said Healy, who began her playing days with Glebe North before moving to Bohemians and then Shels.
"It is good to be around the team, I didn't think I would be here yet.
"I started three league games and then the cup semi-final [which she scored in against Shamrock Rovers] and I've come on at the end of most games. I've played a decent amount. It is a big step up from the underage teams."
Healy benefiting from the Fingal County Council football transition year for girls, a new FAI programme that was launched this year after the successful introduction of the boys course in 2016.
A familiar face is there to guide her - Shelbourne team-mate Megan Smyth-Lynch is one of the tutors.
"It is weird, but you get used to it," Healy remarked. "I had her coaching me for Ireland under-16s as well, so I am used to having her coach me and she helps me on the pitch as well. It's a good help to have her in the team and also in the school.
"We're playing football and in the gym every day. We're coaching schools on a Wednesday, so it is good for the tactical awareness and the technical side of the game.
"I coach fourth, fifth and sixth class [at Greenlanes NS in Clontarf].
"My sister is in sixth class, so I'm coaching her. And I used to go to that school so I remember some of them. It's good to learn what it is like to coach, for after football, I want to go into coaching."
- Rebecca Devereux hoping to follow Katie McCabe template
- Athlone striker Dana Scheriff has Cup target and Ireland dream
- Noel King insists he won't reverse decision to leave Shelbourne
- Athlone boss Ciaran Kilduff wants another slice of Tallaght glory
A wise head on young shoulders, Healy turns 16 next month with a world of possibilities ahead of her.
"The girls have all helped me a lot," she added.
"If I didn't know where to go, they would tell me where to go, and they would be encouraging me a lot, so that makes it a lot easier.
"Pearl [Slattery] has helped me so much on the pitch and off the pitch. She is always there for everyone, looking after everyone, making sure everyone is alright. And then on the pitch, she just encourages and lets you know where to go. She is such a good help, you can tell that she has so much experience in the game.
"It has gone very quickly. But the weekendsI don't play with the seniors, I still play with the 19s, so I am still with my friends every few weeks. So I still get to play with my friends."
Watch the Women's FAI Cup final, Athlone Town v Shelbourne, on Sunday from 2.15pm 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.
