Drogheda United goalkeeper Luke Dennison is excited at the prospect of playing in front of up to 40,000 fans in what will be a career highlight in Sunday's FAI Cup final at the Aviva Stadium after a taste of it last year.
Dennison was on the bench for Bohemians as he watched on when his former side were beaten 3-1 by St Patrick’s Athletic.
Having moved to play more first-team football, the American has forced his way into the Drogheda side and will play a bigger role on this occasion starting in goal for United.
Dennison’s main takeaway from the final last year was finding the playing area smaller than it seemed from TV or the sidelines.
"The rumour is the pitch is massive and it does look massive when you're on the field level and the stands and the stadium.
"The surroundings kind of make it feel massive. But I think the biggest surprise was realising that it's not as big as it seems.
"But it's an amazing pitch, amazing facilities, just the whole aura of the Aviva Stadium is really exciting.
"A goal is a goal so it doesn't matter how it goes in, we're so excited so hopefully we can put a few in the net on Sunday."
Dennison is thankful to his manager Kevin Doherty who brought him to the club in July for additional competition within the United game.
"It was a competition, that's why Kevin brought me in and I'm really thankful Kevin gave me the opportunity.
"My first game for the club was the FAI Cup first round versus Dundalk and what a journey it's been since then. The atmosphere is amazing around Drogheda.
"Even before we went on the cup run or anything, the atmosphere around Drogheda is absolutely amazing. Every week it's a sell-out, fans are non-stop from the first minute to the last. The community, you see the flags everywhere, everyone's involved.
"You walk down the street in your normal clothes and people recognise you. It's an amazing community here in Drogheda and I'm so thankful to be a part of it."
Doherty has been credited with working miracles at Drogheda, keeping them in the division and now reaching the showpiece occasion in Irish football while having one of the lowest budgets in the league.
It has been just a few months since Dennison linked up with him, yet the impact has been telling.
"Kevin, what an amazing man," Dennison said.
"A great guy, great character, great coach, great manager. He treats everyone with respect but he has high standards and if you go below those standards you're going to hear it, which I think keeps everyone on their toes.
"It keeps everyone fighting, competing for the position and only 11 players can play. It's very competitive in the squad and Kevin reiterates that every single day.
"Kevin, Daire Doyle (assistant manager), all the staff are just excellent since I've come in and I think that's why they're so highly praised around the league."
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