Aidomo Emakhu was the hottest property in Dublin football as a young kid.
But his confidence took a hit when other players outgrew him and he ‘lost his way’ for two years.
Back in the groove after a natural growth spurt, Emakhu is busy making up ground with the champions of Ireland.
And he announced his arrival on the biggest stage with Thursday’s fairytale winner in Europe.
Emakhu, 17, came off the bench in the dying minutes of Shamrock Rovers’ clash with Teuta to score the only goal in the 91st minute.
It was also his first goal for the club and leaves Rovers well placed for a playoff push ahead of their trip to Albania next week.
Hoops boss Stephen Bradley believes it will be the first of many goals for the young striker.
Bradley said: “He's a really exciting prospect and I felt Thursday night was the right occasion for him. You can get that feeling.
“I watched him on Sunday for the Under-19s and I knew he was ready. I'm delighted for him as he's a really good kid and works extremely hard.
“You get to know them and understand them, when they have that nervous energy and when it goes.
“You just get a feel for them in training, how they carry themselves and how they are with the other players and senior players.
“But you have to be careful that you don't hurt them because you can set them back. He has been knocking on the door.
“He came on in Waterford a while back and was really good. We took him out then to refresh and he was back on Thursday.
“He's talented and if he keeps that up he has a right chance.”
Bradley revealed how Emakhu’s confidence took a hit as a young kid playing in the Dublin District Schoolboy League (DDSL) before finding his way at Shelbourne.
The Rovers boss used to scout for his own former club Arsenal and was watching Emakhu from a young age.
Bradley said: “When he was with Lourdes (Celtic) U10s and U11s, he was at every club in England. I've known him since he was really young and watched him for Arsenal.
“He was ‘the’ boy. At 11s and 12s, he was the hottest prospect in Dublin and everyone wanted him. But then he lost his way for two years as everyone outgrew him.
“Physically, he was smaller than everyone and that knocked his confidence. But at 15 and 16 he has taken that growth and his ability has always been there.
“With that growth his confidence has come back in how he plays. I understood that he had a knock before, so that's why I'm so hesitant putting him in and hurting him again.
“He has come back around and what you're seeing now is what he has always had. You have only seen a glimpse of it but there’s serious ability and talent there.
“We just need to put him in and take him out at the right times and mind him and look after him. When the time is right he’ll get his run of games.”
Bradley has not been afraid to blood youngsters with Conan Noonan, 18, another of the highly-rated teenagers breaking through into senior ranks.
And with Dean Williams and Darragh Nugent gone on loan to tomorrow’s opponents Longford Town, there’s more scope for Emakhu and Noonan to feature.
Bradley said: “My attitude is that you don’t stop kids. If kids and their parents still want to go to England at 15, 16 and 17 that’s fine - don’t try and stop them.
“But we know what we can offer them. We know the platform we can give them. We believe in what we do. That’s not for everyone and that’s fine.
“And it’s not just us, it’s every League of Ireland club. But that’s not for some people who still see England at 15 or whatever as a better option.
“Me personally, if you had the time back, you wouldn’t do it. You never stop certain kids and parents going and that’s their decision.
“But we’re comfortable in what we can offer them - this platform, men’s football, European games.”
Bradley added: “At 17 in England, Aidomo is playing an Under 18s or 19s match during the week. With us he’s just scored a European goal. It’s incredible.”
