Declan Dunne has revealed how he only became a goalkeeper by chance after being thrown between the sticks as a 15-year-old.
Dunne was plying his trade as a midfielder with St Oliver Plunkett when injuries saw him handed the number one jersey.
He impressed so much that he ended up getting a longer run in the position, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Dunne earned a move from Plunkett to Cliftonville Academy before being promoted to Paddy McLaughlin's first-team squad.
He also had a loan spell at Portadown before moving to Dungannon Swifts this transfer window.
And in two appearances for the Swifts he has helped Dean Shiels' side earn maximum points from Premiership wins over Warrenpoint Town and Larne.
He has also been earning recognition at international level, with caps at Under 19 and 21 level for Northern Ireland.
"I only really started doing nets when I was 15, so it was a big shock me going into nets at that age," he told Belfast Live's That's What I Call Football podcast.
"I was at my club St Oliver Plunkett and the keeper got injured. So the manager told me to go into nets for a couple of games and I ended up doing well.
"So he asked me did I want to continue in nets and I said yes. I was enjoying it so I thought I might as well.
"Then six months later I was in the SuperCup team, and then seven months later I was going on trial with clubs and in the Northern Ireland Under 16 squad and went away to Finland.
"So things happened very quickly for me."
Dunne was predominantly playing in midfield for Plunkett, while at school he was a marauding centre forward.
He was also playing GAA at the time, with his impressive handling skills easily transferring to soccer.
"At the time I was playing GAA and football, but I was playing outfield in soccer. I was playing midfield, and for the school I was playing up front," he added.
"And then I got thrown into nets and asked to see what I can do, and the rest is history.
"I enjoyed it, and when I was there (Plunkett) we were winning leagues straight away so it was good.
"I just liked being involved and playing. As long as I was on the pitch I was happy enough, so I didn't care what position I was in."
