Chris Forrester and St Patrick's Athletic 'galvanised' by 'healthy distraction' of CSKA Sofia tie ahead of run-in

Are you allowed to have more than one best day of your life?

Chris Forrester definitely can. Bring up last season's FAI Cup final and the St Patrick's Athletic playmaker still beams with pride.

Back in the spring, his former team-mate Lee Desmond phrased his joy in similar terms but for Forrester, who scored a scintillating solo goal on the day, it was a second glory day in the domestic soccer calendar after helping to end the Saints' 53-year wait in 2014.

"The first time we won it, the club, we hadn't won it for so many years so it was amazing to do it for them," he told RTÉ Sport this week at the Aviva Stadium as EA Sports announced the return of the SSE Airtricity League Club Packs in FIFA 23.

"I felt like I was almost doing it for them. This time I was doing it for my family and my little girl was at the game and stuff like that. Lee Desmond is right, it was the best day of his life because it was unbelievable.

"It was the best day of mine too. Everything about the day was just so perfect - the atmosphere, the stadium, the set-up - everything was just perfect."

The glow of glory was somewhat dimmed afterwards when manager Stephen O'Donnell left for Dundalk - a situation that left Forrester "awfully upset" given that a rebuild would follow ahead of this season after a 2021 full of promise.

And unfortunately for Pat's, their cup title defence lasted one round this year with a defeat to Waterford at a time when they were being plagued by inconsistency.

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That disappointment was followed by