The sight of Jemma Quinn celebrating Shelbourne's FAI cup win in the centre of the Tallaght turf will undoubtedly be a vision burned into the memory of the Dublin 24 faithful for years to come.
The Reds number 13 laid claim to Ireland's national stadium following her side's late quarter final goal that saw The Reds progress to the semi-final - the XL Shelbourne flag in her grasp no doubt picked up by US satellites orbiting Ireland's East coast.
On what was an autumnal August evening, Eoin Wearen’s side showed their appreciation for the travelling contingent by executing a symphonic string of passes and switches of play on an impressive loop - Kate Mooney all flair and fire as the Red’s conductor.
Usurped by a wounded yet determined Athlone Town in the league, the Shelbourne fans made their presence felt in the West Stand, marking their corner with odes to the Drumcondra debonairs.
A relentless press from Roma McLaughlin led to Shelbourne's first real chance.
On foot of a hasty clearance triggered by McLaughlins persistence, Christie Gray nipped the ball off Shauna Fox's toes and tore beyond Savannah McCarthy - unleashing a low and powerful strike on goal.
For not the first time that night, former Red Amanda Budden would keep the score level as an army of shirts launched wave after wave of attack on The Hoops back line - timely interceptions from Jessica Hennessy proving crucial as Shelbourne singed the Tallaght turf.
Alex Kavanagh, Mc Laughlin and Mooney were formidable for the visitors, their press unrelenting as they switched the ball in what was a testing triad for Rovers - both McLaughlin and Mooney coming within a hair's breadth of opening the scoreline.
Despite an abundance of quality shown by Shels in the first half, Ella Kelly and Joy Ralph very nearly turned the game on its head for Rovers, injecting a venomous bite into the contest for the home side.
Kelly proved to be a real threat just off the left lane as the Tallaght teen wrung Gray out with Tyson Fury esque feints, while Ralphs pace left McLaughlin, Rachel Graham and Pearl Slattery's smartwatch respiratory rates in the red as the number 19 sped past the visitors in a haze of green and white smoke.
Ralphs trademark rove carved out two half chances for Rovers, the Greenhills native very nearly sucker punching Shelbourne on the lip of half-time.
A deft lob from skipper Aine O’Gorman saw Kelly rattle the frame of Amanda McQuillans goal with an absolute rocket from an obtuse angle on 45 minutes - the smack of ball on wood disturbing the breakfast cutlery as staff at the Maldron Hotel finished preparations for the morning buffet.
In the second, Hennessy once again saved her side's blushes, stopping a Gray threaded through ball to Mooney with her boot as Maria Reynolds shepherded danger.
To the accompaniment of a plethora of fireworks, Rovers introduced their very own firepower with a triple substitution - Stephanie Zambra, Lia O’Leary and Melissa O’Kane making the eyes of the Tolka tacticians water as they bounced on the sideline.
Shouts of “Gwan Lia” echoed around Tallaght stadium as O’Leary blitzed on the right, her pearly white boots glinting under the floodlights as an ink black darkness blanketed overhead.
O’Gorman would splinter the frame of the goal in the 63rd with an exquisite set piece that floated and dipped with the precision and power of a Tiger Woods drive off the 18th tee at Augusta.
With twenty minutes of normal time remaining, skipper Slattery sandwiched O’Gorman and was brandished a second yellow.
“Do you want it or not?! Keep going!” Budden remonstrated as Rovers sat back in phases, urging her teammates to utilise their new-found advantage and go for the jugular.
Chants of “SHELBOURNE, SHELBOURNE, SHELBOURNE” accompanied Rovers as they began to switch the ball on the right, O’Learys in swinging crosses met with a jovial cheer whenever The Reds cleared their lines.
With neither side able to break the deadlock, the game transitioned to Extra Time.
As Rovers fans readied themselves for what looked likely to be a third penalty shootout in the space of four weeks, Quinn used her strength to muscle past the Rovers defence on the right channel and fired a defcon level 5 missile on goal.
Holy water sprayed across the emerald seats of the West Stand as Budden stretched, her miraculous save reportedly catching the attention of the editorial team at The Catholic Newspaper, who no doubt had a request for media accreditation lodged before the ball bounced off the post.
Rovers saviour indeed had the divine on her side when the Douglas native was spared red for upending Quinn who was through on goal but for her quick reaction time.
Collie O’Neill switched Ralph and Kelly for the fresh legs of Lauren Kelly and Fiona Owens respectively as the second 15’ of Extra Time approached - the contest looking destined for the Russian roulette of penalties as both managers' minds turned to the spot takers.
That was until Megan Smyth-Lynch was awarded a free-kick on foot of a Scarlett Herron slider at the edge of the box.
Sixty seconds away from a penalty shootout, The Reds swarmed Budden as the goal minder directed her three piece wall.
Smyth-Lynch's decision to deliver the set piece low and with pace towards the front post was the right one and in an effort to clear the danger, Zambra’s outstretched boot would cruelly guide the ball into the back of her own net.
Retribution for Shelbourne who avenge their semi-final All Island Cup loss to The Hoops.
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