Dave Webster knew nothing about Finn Harps' hot-shot Adam Foley when he joined the club last August.
Now they can't fathom how they never crossed paths before as those shared long drives to the north-west - and back - have thrown up mutual acquaintances and familiar stories.
Initially Webster was just happy that he had a travel companion to pick up from Balbriggan before heading to Donegal - or he'd leave his own car there before making his final journey home to Tallaght on their return.
But Foley has been a great signing by Ollie Horgan, his two goals late in last year's thrilling finale helping to keep Harps up. He has started this season with four goals as Harps made a flying start.
"Adam's been brilliant, the way he finished off the season and has started this one," said Webster.
"When he signed he said he had to get fit and back on the pitch. He was happy to be back playing.
"He has a great attitude and loves the game. Ollie showed faith in him and he has repaid that.
"It's funny, we don't live close to each other and I never knew of Adam before, but, through talking, we realised that we have plenty of mutual friends and had gone to a lot of the same places, but never crossed paths.
"It's a weird one."
The travelling contingent has grown, with Sean Boyd joining the trek from Swords and Conor Barry from Monaghan.
But Webster had "a really tough decision" to make in the close season before staying with the Ballybofey club as he turned down good offers closer to home.
"I felt we could kick on a bit, I didn't want to close the chapter on it because I felt it would be a missed opportunity," he said.
"We've done that. I love playing under Ollie and Heggsy (Paul Hegarty) - with the staff and group of lads we had, the drive was nothing, in my eyes I was playing Premier Division football and would happily drive three hours plus to do it."
He enjoyed that there was so much riding on the games in the run-in, even if Harps were at the wrong end of the table.
This season they are in fourth, but a superb start - three wins and a draw - has has stalled, with just one point taken from a possible nine.
Champions Shamrock Rovers - Webster's former club - are at Finn Park tonight.
"There's no fear factor," the 31-year-old defender said. "The minute you go out fearing anyone, you might as well hang the boots up.
"Drogheda and Longford have shown any team in this league can get results, the quality has increased rapidly in recent years.
"Rovers have their unbeaten league run, they're exciting to watch. If we're not right, it could be a very long night, with their quality and their depth.
"We need a lot of things to go in our favour but we'll do our homework, it's about getting points on the board for us."
