Keith Ward says he felt like a rockstar as he stepped onto the Aviva Stadium pitch in last year’s FAI Cup final.
The 31-year-old made his first ever appearance in the decider as Bohemians lost on penalties to St Patrick’s Athletic.
Now he is ready to channel that heartache into another bid for glory - this time in the colours of Dundalk.
“Sampling it last year, it was like a concert,” said the attacking midfielder. “It was mad.
“I was obviously on the bench, but watching the lads walk out, it was some experience and it was something I always wanted to experience.”
Ward was one of two Bohs players who missed from the spot in the shootout.
He continued: “Obviously last year, losing out to Pat’s on penos, missing the peno, was hard.
“But it was a great run. Getting to the Aviva is special.
“Dundalk have had a lot of history there over the last 10 years. It’s a good distraction for us and we’d like to get to the final.
“The history here, the players here, we’ve all experienced it and we’ll be taking it very seriously.
“It’s something we are looking at and we’ll be hoping to do well this year, because it’s a great week.
“I’ve lost a lot of semi-finals, but I got to experience it last year. Last year was my first final.
“Obviously when you get a bit older you appreciate it more. I won’t have too many more goes at it.
“There are a lot of lads here who have won it and it’s something I’d love to put up on my ma’s mantlepiece.
“It would be lovely. Definitely something to aim for.”
Dundalk face Longford tonight as they take the first step on the road to this season’s final - and the memories of that cold November day last year won’t be far from Ward’s mind.
“Obviously I was disappointed I missed the peno. It is something I am devastated about,” he said.
“Experiencing it, I want to have another day out like that, especially here where I’m enjoying it and there are great lads around the place.
“I’m absolutely loving it here. I just feel it’s a new lease of life for me.
“As much as I loved my time at Bohs, I had a great five years back at the club, I just felt this was another challenge for me, especially as I’m getting older.
“Stephen (O’Donnell) bringing me here has given me a great opportunity, whereas I don’t think other teams were looking at someone like me.
“I’ve really embraced it and I am really enjoying it. I feel like I’ve got that bit of confidence back in my game.
“I’m playing here with some brilliant players and I’m just enjoying coming in here every morning.
“And the Cup final is something I’d like to sample one day again. It is a motivation. Last year does give you that desire to go and do it again.”
No one at Oriel Park will be taking tonight’s First Division opponents lightly, however.
“We don’t look past any team, and that’s one thing I like about here, we respect every opponent,” said Ward.
“We are not where we want to be yet, this club, but we have to go out and respect everyone and show everyone respect.
“They are doing alright in the league at the moment and they’ve got some good players, a bit of experience. It won’t be an easy game and we’ll prepare for it right.”
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