Jarlath Jones buckled his seat belt and never looked back on his thrill-a-minute top-flight breakthrough.
The Drogheda United defender - studying history and religion at DCU - is living the dream having gone from supporter in the stands, to performer on the pitch.
From nearby Monasterboice, he went to Drogheda games as a kid before joining Dundalk’s underage set-up as a player and then Shelbourne’s U19s.
Jones, 21, also had a spell in the Leinster Senior League last year with Ballymun United before Athlone Town snapped him up midway through the 2022 season.
And that fleeting First Division experience whetted the appetite for a step up to the Premier Division for the first time.
Ahead of tonight’s clash with league leaders Bohss, Jones told Mirror Sport: “Drogheda is a club that gives youth its chance and it’s the reason I signed.
“They give young players the platform to play in the Premier, which can be hard to come by. I’m thankful to Kevin Doherty and I want to repay his faith in me.”
So far, Jones is doing just that having stepped into the team for their last four games - including a win in Derry - after Evan Weir suffered a hamstring injury.
Jones knows that Weir will be snapping to reclaim his place but having got a taste for Premier life, he won’t be handing the jersey back without a fight.
With attendances soaring, Jones has found it exhilarating to play in front of big crowds after stepping up from the second tier.
“That side of it is new for me, it’s exciting and I’m loving that side of it,” he said.
“The Drogheda fans are amazing. I hadn't experienced it before and it definitely helps you get through the game.
“Especially in matches where you might be struggling a bit at the end of a game, when your legs are heavy. The fans get you over the line.
“I've always grown up around Drogheda United and I was a fan before I was a player and went to games with my family.
“I was delighted with the opportunity to sign for Kevin and I'm extremely proud every time I put on the jersey.
“I’ve family and friends who go to the games week in, week out so it's an unbelievable honour to play in front of them for this club.”
Jones is busy juggling the tail end of an Arts degree and will be finished with his studies by the end of this month.
He is contemplating a Masters next, but is likely to put those plans on hold for a year and focus on professional football.
“The studying has to get done and I make sure it is. It's important to have qualifications to fall back on as a back-up plan is important.”
But today that plan is about topping high-flying Bohs.
Drogheda lost 3-1 to the Gypsies at Dalymount last month, with Jones on the bench for that one but he said: “We have it in us to beat any team in this league.
“We know the quality Bohs have but if we defend well, we'll have players who will score goals. Morale is great in this team.”
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