Leah Doyle primed for another big Tallaght occasion

It's a familiar feeling for Leah Doyle as the excitement builds towards the 2023 Sports Direct Women’s FAI Cup Final on Sunday.

After being an unused sub for the 2021 showpiece, Doyle was part of the Reds side that defeated Athlone Town in last year’s decider, so the size of the occasion won’t be lost on her when the same two clubs line out at Tallaght Stadium once again.

"It's completely different to any other game we have," the 22-year-old told RTÉ Sport.

"The whole build-up, even down to the time you have to be out on the pitch, everything is very precise and it definitely took some getting used to.

"There's a lot of emotion to it, even standing out in front, you're waiting for the President to come up and looking into a crowd that we don't get at any other game.

"It is really special and it is quite emotional to hear the anthem playing when you're standing there with your teammates that you've been through everything with."

Doyle is the epitome of a team player, often being asked by Shelbourne manager Noel King to forego her usual position at left full-back to play more centrally.

In her early days in handball, (she is a former world under-18 doubles champion) she had to have more of an individual mindset, but she feels the mental fortitude gained from this has been carried over to her soccer career.

"I think the mental strength of it all," says Doyle. "In handball you’re obviously by yourself, so if you’re down you have to be able to pick yourself back up. Luckily in football if I’m down, I have Pearl (Slattery) right beside me, I have the girls to pick me up but there is that extra strength that can come over.

Silverware is the aim for Sunday but there will be a bittersweet element to the day, as King takes charge of his