Jessie Stapleton dreaming of double delight for Shels

Jessie Stapleton was first called into a Republic of Ireland senior training camp when she was just 13 years old.

That was back in 2018. Three years later she received her first proper senior call-up for the World Cup qualifiers against Slovakia and Georgia. Last June, Stapelton got a first cap under the belt when she came on as a sub in a friendly against the Philippines.

It's remarkable to think the versatile defender is still only 17 years of age but it feels like her star is only going to keep rising.

By Sunday evening, Stapleton could have an EVOKE.ie FAI Cup winner's medal to go with the two league titles she's already won with Shels.

"Yeah of course, it's a cup final," she replied when asked if there would be nerves ahead of the showpiece game.

"I think it would be weird if you didn’t get nervous. But I’m very excited to get going.

"All my family and friends are going to go. It’s easier when it’s in Tallaght, in Dublin, it’s easier for my family and friends to go because I’m Dublin based.

"We were very disappointed last year [when they lost to Wexford Youths in the cup final], so the fire is in the belly to go out and do the double."

Stapleton exudes a calm confidence and seems wise beyond her years. It's almost two years since she took a stand and called out the sexist comments that appeared under a livestream broadcast of a Women's U-17 league final between Cork City and Shamrock Rovers, Stapelton's club at the time.

"What comes with playing girls football in Ireland," she tweeted as she shared footage of the comments.

Reflecting on the incident now, she said: "Yeah, it was a thing we did as a team, it worked out for the better, it went viral, helped a lot of people.

"[The game has] grown massively. I feel that people are