Kayleigh Shine sits relaxed at Tallaght Stadium with the Sports Direct FAI Cup just yards away. For the Athlone Town defender, this is becoming routine – she's about to play in her fourth straight cup final.
Shine has been central to Athlone's remarkable journey from the beginning. She joined their youth setup from Roscommon side Bealnamulla before stepping up to the senior team when they first entered the Premier Division in 2021.
"When I thought of Champions League football, I never would have thought Ireland or Athlone," Shine says with a smile. "But we've done that, that's something new that hasn't been done before."
From Underdogs to Powerhouse
Just look at Athlone now. They've transformed into the dominant force in women's domestic football, bolstered by international talent like Izzy Groves, Madi Gibson, and Hannah Waesch.
Their European adventure this year saw them reach Round 2 of Champions League qualifying before competing in the newly formed Europa Cup. For a club from the Midlands, these achievements are extraordinary.
Born in the village of Drum on the Roscommon-Athlone border, Shine understands the significance of their rise. The league champions are now heavy favorites against a youthful Bohemians side appearing in their first-ever FAI Cup final.
Even the unexpected departure of manager Colin Fortune in September hasn't derailed Athlone's momentum. John Sullivan stepped in seamlessly, keeping the team on course for potential glory.
Learning From Past Disappointment
Last year's cup final experience still stings for Shine and her teammates. They suffered a crushing 6-1 defeat to Shelbourne in difficult conditions.
"A few people have been saying, 'you came up a bit short last year.' A bit short is maybe the nice way of putting it!" Shine admits. "It was definitely a kick in the teeth. Within 30 minutes, there were nearly four goals in."
That painful memory has fueled their determination this season. "We definitely don't ever want to let it run away like that again," she insists. "Hopefully this year we've learned our lessons and will put it up to Bohs on Sunday."
For bettors, Athlone's dominant league form makes them clear favorites, but cup finals can produce surprises. Bohemians' underdog status and youth could make them dangerous if Athlone carries any scars from last year's final collapse.
With the league already secured, Athlone's focus is entirely on completing a historic double. Unlike last year when the league title came down to the final game, they've had time to reset and prepare properly.
"We don't really talk about the double too much," Shine says. "We like to stay humble and not get ahead of ourselves. We've won the league, we've won the cup, but we haven't done both."
Sunday's showdown kicks off at 3pm at Tallaght Stadium, with Athlone Town aiming to write another chapter in their remarkable story.
