Gibson hopes to get close to idol O'Reilly — on field and in medal count

Athlone's American import has her eyes and heart set on finishing the season with cup glory - and a dream shirt swap

HAVE BOOTS, WILL TRAVEL: Maddison Gibson of Athlone Town (right) in action against Chloe Darby of Bohemians during the SSE Airtricity Women's National League match between Bohemians and Athlone Town at Dalymount Park in Dublin. Pic: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile

To cap an unprecedented year for Irish women’s football, Sunday’s FAI Cup final at Tallaght Stadium may well be decided by an American. Which one of the New Jersey girls will end the season doused with acclaim, though?

In the red corner is Shelbourne’s decorated World Cup and Olympic winner Heather O’Reilly, the 37-year-old with a couple of feats left on her career bucket list. Arguably, the fairytale story resides on the blue side in the form of Athlone Town’s Maddison Gibson.