From the highest high to a crushing blow in the space of one afternoon, as Tommy Doyle fired a rocket into the top corner to book Sheffield United's place at Wembley on Sunday.
However, after celebrating the Blades' last-four place, Doyle was brought back down to earth as he discovered that parent club Manchester City would await at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-finals.
Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom suggested there would be 'discussions' with City over allowing Doyle and fellow loanee James McAtee to feature against them in the semi-final, but competition rules forbid loan players from facing their parent clubs.
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Both Doyle and McAtee have kicked on this season to become key members of Sheffield United's promotion-chasing side in the Championship, and would both be hopeful of starting the biggest game of their careers at Wembley. However, that won't be possible, and Heckingbottom admitted the Blades were hoping to avoid City purely so the youngsters could have a chance of playing.
Doyle, however, was philosophical and insisted he would support his loan side in the capital regardless of whether he could play or not.
Speaking before the draw was made, Doyle said: "If it happens, it happens. As long as the lads are there. We’ve been in this together so I don't want to think about myself now. If it happens, I’ll still be there supporting the lads.”
Boss Heckingbottom later explained: “Listen, they're Manchester City players and we know they're cup-tied. But for those two players I think I need to ask the question and see if we can somehow get them involved.
“I understand the situation, and they do too. When we watched the draw after the game, it was the one we didn't want. Mainly for that reason.
“We all know how tough it is playing City at the best of times but for those boys, we wanted them involved in this one. Because they've been a big part of what we've done, in the league and the cup. It's not the draw we wanted for those boys, and it's not the one those boys wanted themselves.”
“Everyone knows the benefits of them playing [at Wembley]. It's the reason they've been sent out on loan and I know [City] are really pleased with their progression.
“The boys are themselves, their families and their representatives. They're pleased with what they're doing and it would be an amazing part of that journey from them. To continue their education. However, it's against their parent club. It has been done before; we've seen it happen before. We'll ask the question and we'll see what comes back.”
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