Cahill's back to make amends

FAI Cup second round: A year after leaving Turner's Cross for Tolka Park, Shelbourne winger Ollie Cahill returns to his former…

FAI Cup second round: A year after leaving Turner's Cross for Tolka Park, Shelbourne winger Ollie Cahill returns to his former stomping ground this evening still seeking a first taste of victory against his former club and hoping that this evening's Carlsberg sponsored FAI Cup tie will provide the breakthrough that he has been waiting for.

The 27-year-old from Clonmel has rediscovered his best form for the league leaders in recent weeks and has contributed a couple of memorable goals since the team suffered a surprise 2-0 defeat in Derry six weeks ago. His previous trips back to Turner's Cross have been frustrating affairs, though, and his aim is to end that run in tonight's second round cup tie.

"We lost both of the games there last year," he says, "and to be honest I didn't play all that well. And when we drew in the league there earlier this season I only got on for the last 20 minutes or so.

"I always look forward to going back there even though I get a fair bit of stick from the crowd. You'd expect that when any Cork player leaves for a Dublin club and I don't mind it, I'd just like to go down there and have a really good game."

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The trip comes after Shelbourne have drawn their last two games and Cahill is in two minds as to whether the timing is good from the league leader's point of view.

"It's a huge game, though, and so you'd have to be looking forward to it. If we'd drawn a non-league side then you might be thinking that it was the sort of match you really didn't need but I presume they're expecting a full house and Mr Dolan will have them all up for it so it should be a great occasion."

Shelbourne manager Pat Fenlon looks set to choose from a full squad for this evening's game with Dessie Baker recovering from a groin injury during the past few days to resume training and the rest of the panel all coming through the week without any problems.

The visitors are likely to field much the same team as played against UCD last Saturday when, despite a good deal of second-half pressure, they failed to score the second goal needed to wrap up two extra points.

City, meanwhile, may have Kevin Doyle back from injury and there is also good news, in the longer term, with Greg O'Halloran now expected to miss three rather than nine months after damaging his cruciate ligament.

Emmet Malone

Emmet Malone

Emmet Malone is Work Correspondent at The Irish Times