IN January 2018, when Mary Lou McDonald took over from Gerry Adams as the leader of Sinn Féin, she told a packed room of the party faithful: "I won't fill Gerry's shoes, but I brought my own."
Replacing Adams, who had led the party for 35 years through the best of days and the worst, and who was more associated with the modern Sinn Féin than any other person, would be a daunting task for any politician.
McDonald represents new Sinn Féin, able, educated, fast talking and thinking, with a natural warmth and also without any of the baggage or controversy associated with Adams.
However, there were doubts raised over the longevity of her leadership after disastrous council and European elections in 2019 when the party's vote colapsed.
There are no such doubts now.
The woman credited with making the party a major electoral force south of the border is basking in the glory of an historic result that has changed the Irish political landscape forever.
Read More: Border constituencies among biggest votes for Sinn Féin
Since the formation of the state, almost 100 years ago, 14 people have held the office of Taoiseach - all men and all members of either Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael.
Garrett Fitzgerald and Charles Haughey spent the eighties and early nineties criss-crossing in and out of the top job in a power play relay race.
But Ireland has changed, and not just on social issues but how people view themselves as a society, with a growing economy that has to date only benefited the few.
Young people voted for Sinn Féin in record numbers. That 'youthquake' will terrify FF an FG as it shows room for continued growth while they rely on an ever-diminishing older electorate.
Read More: Niece of shot IRA woman Mairéad Farrell takes seat for Sinn Féin
The shocking disparity in the distribution of wealth, as the rich get richer and the working man and woman struggle to put a roof over their heads, has caused a political backlash.
The issue of housing and homelessness was the reason 38 per cent of those questioned said they voted for SF, with health next on the list of priorities.
Suddenly the men of FF and FG seem dated and out of touch with the struggles of young couples having to work 12 hours a day just to get a foot on the rental market.
There is still a way to go before a government can be formed.
But anyone who took a punt on an outside chance that Ireland is about to have its first female taoiseach should hold onto that bookie docket for a while longer.
If no government is agreed and another election called, in the present circumstances Sinn Féin would make a better job of maximising their vote and hoover up even more seats.
That is something FF will want to avoid at all costs, but what price are they willing to trade for power?
Micheál Martin is already changing language about sharing power but is he prepared to play support act to a SF taoiseach?
Mary Lou's shoes have done some walking in the last two years, but are they now set to walk into the Dáil Éireann as the first female taoiseach in the centenary of the state?
