When you've been around as long and as much as Paul Doolin it must sometimes seem there are enough encounters against former clubs. However, UCD's player-manager must wish he was in a position to direct things against Derry City from the centre of midfield tomorrow rather than from the dug-out where, due to suspension, he will spend this FAI Cup quarter-final.
Though UCD have slipped back again in the league, Doolin has been an impressive influence on the home side since taking on a more active role within the team and while he insists that they have the ability and character to rise to the occasion in his absence, his experience is bound to be missed.
"It would be a tough game one way or the other," says Doolin, who has already seen these two sides draw twice in the league this season, "and the players certainly have to want it, that's for sure. But it's a good challenge for them because I'm not going to be playing forever so this will serve as an opportunity for them to show they don't really need me to be involved on that level."
Doolin is also without Richie Purdy for tomorrow's game but can call on either Robert McAuley or Tony McDonnell to fill in at central defence while Alan McNally is his likely replacement in the central midfield.
Derry City might well be expected to have the edge tomorrow but their form away from home has not been all that impressive this season. They've made heavy enough going of getting this far in the competition even though they were drawn against two non-league sides.
Derry boss Kevin Mahon has a full squad to choose from this weekend as Paddy McLaughlin has recovered from a broken wrist and Darren Kelly returns to the panel after serving out a one-match suspension.
McLaughlin will almost certainly start the afternoon on the bench but Kelly should start as Mahon looks to strengthen a defence that conceded two goals against Bray at the Brandywell last Thursday week.
"In a lot of ways there are a lot of similarities between the two squads," says Doolin, "because a lot of their lads are young and lack a bit of experience but the likes of Liam Coyle and Darren Kelly have the potential to give them an edge. We just have to make sure it doesn't happen."
Route to the quarter-finals: UCD - Beat Drogheda United 2-0 in replay and Cherry Orchard 0-3. Derry City - Beat Mervue United 2-0 and St Kevin's Boys 1-0 in a replay.
Betting: Home: 6/4, Draw: 11/5, Away: 6/4.
