‘An unreal feeling' – Athlone's US import Kelly Brady on playing in the Champions League and needing a day off work
Those links will be clear to see – and hear – when family will make up part of the attendance on Wednesday night as Brady lines out for Athlone in their debut on the European stage.
Town host Cardiff City in their Champions League qualifier, with another game – also at home – against Croatian outfit Agram on Saturday, should the Irish club outwit a more experienced Welsh team.
It's a major occasion for Athlone to host the game, but it's also a big deal for Brady to play in a tournament she's only seen on TV before, either in the men's game or Katie McCabe's triumph with Arsenal earlier this year.
"Just the name itself, names like Chelsea and Arsenal, all those big teams that are playing in this league. It's a dream,' says Brady ahead of her Champions League debut, also a first for Athlone women's team.
'As a little kid, those are the teams that you want to one day go and play for, you're watching them at home, everyone watches. I've gotten a few funny questions like, 'Oh, are you guys going to be playing Chelsea?'. Obviously not, hopefully one day we can work our way up, but it's great to be on a similar stage to those teams and those great, talented players.
'It's an unreal feeling. I think we've sold up to 1,100 tickets now. The excitement, the buzz has really gone around the team. It's exciting and we hope to get a good result.'
The Irish background did help her to settle, but Brady has found her feet in Athlone: 'I've found it great. The girls have been so welcoming, the team, I think is doing great. We have a lot of talent in our team and that helps everyone out.
"Playing with great players only contributes to your success individually and on the team. I've loved Athlone, got myself a little job here. My family has visited a bunch of times, and they love it too. It's great,' says Brady, who hopes her time in the league here can help her catch the eye of Ireland boss Carla Ward and advance her international career.
Life as a part-time player in Ireland means that football income alone won't sustain someone, so Brady also works as a barista in a local cafe.
She has already requested this Saturday off, hopeful they will have secured a weekend clash with Agram by then.
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