Eight years ago, Callum Smyton travelled to Dublin to cheer on his home town club in their first ever All Ireland Junior Cup final.

The 12-year-old was full of optimism that he would see the trophy make its way to Fivemiletown for the first time, but he left dejected after seeing Clogher Valley fall agonisingly short, losing 10-9 to Enniscorthy.

This year, rather than cheer from the sidelines, the number eight will be in the thick of action and looking to turn that childhood dream into reality by defeating Ballyclare and lifting the All Ireland Junior Cup for the first time.

“We got to the final in 2014 and I was only 12 at the time and I was watching,” he recalled.

“At the time I didn’t think it would be eight years before we would be back again. Hopefully this time we can get it over the line. It would be massive. It is the only trophy that the club has never won. It would be massive for the club.”

The 19 year old is one of the newest members of the squad, having progressed into the Senior set-up at the start of the season, and he knows he is facing the biggest challenge of his short playing career on Saturday.

“This is my biggest game yet,” he acknowledged.

“I only came into the team this year, and there are four of us in the same situation in our first year in the Seniors. It’s the biggest game of our lives.”

Despite the size of the task ahead, Callum believes he will be able to cope with the big match atmosphere.

“It’s more excitement than nerves at the minute,” he said. “As it comes closer to kick-off there will be a few nerves, but once you get that first catch or first tackle then you are good to go.

“Everyone I chat to seems to be going. I normally block that out, but if you hear the cheers or chants it does drive you on and it’s a real incentive.”

The last time the two teams squared up to each other in December, Clogher Valley came out on the right side of a 14-7 score line, with Smyton driving over for the winning try in the second half. He is hopeful they can produce a repeat of that victory at the Kingspan stadium.

“We know how to beat them, and we are quietly confident, but we still need a performance,” he said.

“We have beaten them twice this season, so we know we can beat them, but their season is relying on this. It is all they have to play for, while we are still fighting on all fronts. Their season comes down to Saturday so I know they will be giving it their all.”

The occasion has gripped the imagination of rugby fans around Fivemiletown with an exodus of supporters expected to head for Belfast on Saturday, but for Smyton it will be business as usual before the big match.

“I hate changes from normality,” he admitted. “Every Saturday we go to the same place, and I get the same thing to eat. I will do the exact same again this weekend.

“I don’t like changing things too much so I will keep it as normal as possible and hopefully the result and performance will be like normal as well.”