What a whirlwind few weeks it has been for Roberto Lopes after helping Cape Verde qualify for next year's World Cup and then being part of the Shamrock Rovers squad that won a fifth SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division title in six seasons.
There was also the joyous occasion of becoming a dad, following the arrival of baby Diego.
On Sunday next, Lopes goes in search of a second FAI Cup winner's medal when the Hoops take on Cork City in the showpiece decider at Aviva Stadium.
It will be an opportunity for Ireland's most successful club to complete a first league and cup double since 1987 - an achievement that would mean a lot to Lopes.
"It would be one of the highlights of my career," the 33-year-old said at a press briefing in advance of the final.
"I've had a great few weeks and there would be no better way to cap it off than winning the double.
"We had an opportunity to do it in 2020 and having not done that, it was one of the worst feelings I had in football, to be that close to almost perfection. We have the opportunity to do it now and it would be the cherry on top of what has been a really good season.
"When we do look back no one can take away from us that we were the best team in the country this year if we do win the double.
"But it is a difficult thing to do and even the opportunity to do it doesn't come up that often. I think that is the beauty of the cup: anyone can beat anyone. To get to the final is a huge achievement and all of us are now motivated to cap it all off with us lifting the trophy. I really want to get may hands on that cup.
"Cork got stronger as the season went on and unfortunately ran out of time and got relegated. They are a really good group, have got really good young players and experienced players, the likes of Seani Maguire and Ruairí Keating, who has just come back.
"They see this as an opportunity to win some silverware and get into Europe. I know If I was in their dressing room I'd be really hungry and really eager to try and achieve that."
With success comes more games. Lopes played the full 90 minutes in Athens as the Hoops came within a whisker of a famous European win just three days before Sunday's final, with a trio of more engagements in the Conference League to comes before Rovers' season concludes a week before Christmas.
Not that Lopes is complaining. A case of bring it on, so allaying any fears that energy levels may be a concern at this critical juncture.
"It's a good complaint to be busy at this stage of the season," remarked the central defender.
"This is the second year in a row that we have had more games to play at this stage. You sort of get conditioned to that; the body will be fine so it's all about conditioning your mind. I'm not tired. You can't be giving out if your winning leagues, getting to a cup final and playing in the Conference League. It's what we want."
Lopes also hailed the "mentality in the group" in response to narrowly losing their league crown to Shelbourne in 2024.
"We realised we missed out on our goals last year. The gaffer identified some players we needed to bring in to help the group, identified the right sort of people. They've have come in, have gelled really well and have been strong for us this year. Academy players have also stepped up and have established themselves.
"That drive and hunger was there; everybody rode in, bought into it. We've got our rewards and we now hope for a little bit more."
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Watch the Sports Direct FAI Cup final, Shamrock Rovers v Cork City, on Sunday from 2pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on the RTÉ News App and on rte.ie/sport. Listen to live commentary on Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
