It is any wonder why Sligo Rovers speak so highly of Keeva Flynn; she is one of the best young players in the country right now.

The tough-tackling defender may still be a relative rookie when it comes to performing at the highest level in women's football but don't think that will hold her back as she bids to help her team reach the 2024 Sports Direct Women's FAI Cup Final.

Sligo are hoping to reach their first ever Cup Final since joining the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division in 2022 and they only have the task of overcoming holders Athlone Town in front of them. That won't daunt Flynn though. The greater the challenge, the more fired up she will be.

Having graduated through the ranks at Sligo's Academy, Flynn is proving that she can hold her own against some of the best forwards in the game. The opportunity to keep Athlone's Brenda Tabe quiet will be one that she will be excited to take on.

For Sligo, they need Flynn to be at her best. So far this season, she has a 70% average in both defensive duels and aerial duels won. Then there are the 122 interceptions, the 51 clearances and 220 recoveries. She is an all-action type of defender who is incredibly difficult to get past.

It will take a huge collective effort for The Bit O'Red to beat an in-form Athlone team, but Flynn is someone who could just help to inspire them. You see, she plays with a fearlessness that rubs off on those around her and inspires them to believe that anything is possible. Never mind that she is still a teenager, she plays like a veteran.

Of course, Sligo boss Tommy Hewitt will not want too much hype to build around his young centre-back as she faces a massive game. But Sligo fans are dreaming a day out in this year's Cup Final and the power that Flynn provides could just prove to be a deciding factor in them getting there.

2024 Sports Direct Women's FAI Cup Semi-Finals
Saturday, September 21 | Shelbourne v Cork City, Tolka Park, KO 14:00
Sunday, September 22 | Sligo Rovers v Athlone Town, The Showgrounds, KO 15:00