Kellie Brennan is one of the Athlone Town originals.
The 22-year-old Galway native was part of the midlanders’ maiden campaign in the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division back in 2020, finding the net in their first victory that season when they beat Treaty United 3-2.
She’s helped lay the foundations for what Athlone have become: a genuine force in the domestic game, consistently in the mix for the big trophies.
Last month Brennan - a versatile and consistent operator - made her 100th appearance for the club; two weeks ago, she netted in the 2-0 defeat of Bohemians that clinched the title.
Landmarks and glory are now standard for a side that has taken off under the stewardship of Ciaran Kilduff, who succeeded Tommy Hewitt in the summer of 2023. Kilduff galvanised Athlone to beat Shelbourne in last year's Sports Direct FAI Women's Cup final, and they kicked on again in 2024 to win the league.
Now, for the third year in a row, they square up to Shels in the cup decider, desperate to complete what would be a memorable double.
"You always dream I suppose," said Brennan as she looked ahead to Sunday’s showpiece at Tallaght Stadium.
"When I was younger I’d dream of coming to play these games, stuff like that, but I’m really excited to get going. Hopefully we’ll do what we did last year.
"It’s always going to be a hard battle playing against them. That’s the kind of games you live to play in, against Shels.
"We have the belief that we can go out there and put our best foot forward, like we did last year. We know it’s not going to be easy."
Brennan is capable of playing as a No 10, and certainly has a goal in her, but Kilduff has largely deployed her a right-back this year.
Alongside Kayleigh Shine, the American Jesi Rossman and Shauna Brennan, she’s given Athlone a rock solid defence to build on.
"When you have a strong back four it’s half the battle," added Brennan. "Then Katie Keane (the impressive Republic of Ireland Under-19s goalkeeper), we have that safety net to fall back on as well.
"Ciaran has just been a great mentor for us all, he brings so much energy to the dressing room and makes us believe we can do anything, achieve anything. He’s been a great ambassador for us really.
"I wouldn’t be nervous or overwhelmed because we were here last year so it’s a bit more calm. We have more experience to go and do what we did last year."
Athlone edged last year’s showdown on penalties. Don’t be surprised if it goes the distance again as two teams who’ve built up a healthy rivalry over the last three years brace themselves for another epic battle.
"That’s definitely going be the same on Sunday, the rivalry and the fieriness," said Brennan.
"It’s going to be a great match to watch. We’re not going to go easy on them and they’re not going to go easy on us. It’s a great occasion. Anyone can win on the day."
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