Aidomo Emakhu knows he wasn’t himself at the start of the season as he struggled for confidence and goals.
But with the weight of the Leaving Cert finally off his shoulders, the Shamrock Rovers teenager is back in the groove at just the right time.
The forward, 18, has three goals in his last three games; in the league against Drogheda United, Champions League against Ludogorets and Friday’s FAI Cup win over Bangor Celtic.
He made a rare start in that Cup game and gave a man-of-the-match performance, but has otherwise had to be patient with just one start in 16 league appearances this year.
But having scored in the Champions League win over Ludogorets, and against Teuta of Albania in Europe last summer, Emakhu has proved he can be the man for the big moment.
And his recent hot streak could be timely as the Hoops prepare for Thursday’s Europa League third round clash with Shkupi of North Macedonia in Tallaght.
Emakhu said: “It's good to be finding confidence and form again after a bit of a drought. I’ve done what I'm supposed to - score goals and impact games.
“But it was a very slow start to the season by myself and very frustrating. It was just a lack of confidence and I don't think I was myself.”
Emakhu's daily routine was training with Shamrock Rovers from 10am to 2pm and then school between 3pm and 7pm at Moyle Park in Clondalkin.
“It was tough but it had to be done,” he said. “Not a lot of lads get to play full-time football and focus on the education side of it as well.
“I'm very grateful to my club and my school. Their support really helped me.
“But sometimes I just felt a bit drained and I felt it was affecting me on the pitch, keeping up my studies and being able to train full-time as well.
“But it was only for a couple of months. It was about getting to the end of it and I'm glad I did, seeing the back of the Leaving Cert now.”
The Dubliner continued: “You need something to fall back on when you finish playing, a business degree or something like it, just to keep you ticking.
“Full-time football is training in the morning and finishing in the afternoon but the evenings are very long. It's just something to use later down the line.
“I feel very confident about what results I'll get but I'm just glad I can focus on football now full-time, being in with the lads every day and working hard.”
With his mojo back, Emakhu is determined to leave his mark on Rovers’ European campaign and is targeting group stage progression.
“It's good to be getting that confidence back and a bit of form and hopefully follow up on it now and keep going until the end of the season,” he said.
“Being one of the youngest lads in the team, you have to respect the gaffer's decision. When you come on, there’s no sulking. You're trying to give him a reason to play you."
Emakhu added: “It’s always good to score goals, especially in Europe. It was only the last 10 minutes of the Ludogorets game for me, but you have to be ready.
“Whether you’re playing from the first minute or the 80th, you have to trust yourself to get one chance.
“The goal was my only touch of the game! When the ball drops in the box, it's those little moments that you have to be ready for.
“We didn't get through to the next round, but it was an historic win for the club and something we can drive on with this week.”
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