THERE are reasons for believing that this year's FAI Cup final will be the best at Lansdowne Road thus far and that an off colour Shelbourne will rise to the occasion. Not only did Shelbourne lose last year's final to Derry, but there was the manner of their defeat.

"We didn't play," recalls Mick Neville bitterly. "We never got the ball down, we never got going at all and that's really all I can remember about it. Total frustration at the end of the day."

Remarkably, this is Neville's eighth final. There have only been two loser's medals. One was with Shamrock Rovers against UCD in 1984, but last year's hurt more.

Colin Murphy, Shelbourne's manager last year, stated his intentions by employing two stoppers in central midfield. "I think it was the way Colin Murphy wanted to play. In fairness we were successful to a degree last season but I think you can only go so far with a team you can't really change."

This time, at least, they'll play the Shelbourne way. "If we lose having a go, so be it. But at least I can say this year that we'll honestly have a go and give it our best shot."

Drawn away to Premier Division sides in each round so far, Shelbourne have risen to the occasion, but six defeats in their last eight league matches reflects a cumulative loss of form, a spate of injuries and maybe something, else.

"I think we're the best team in the league when we do play. Midway through the season we were playing absolutely brilliant football and people were comparing us to the Shamrock Rovers team of the 80s. But since the UCD defeat (on March 3rd) it's all been downhill. I've my own ideas as to why but I want them to remain my own ideas."

But we perhaps got a clue to his thoughts when referring to St Patrick's 3-0 win over Shelbourne, last Sunday. "It proved how hungry they were for success. I think it is the big difference between Shelbourne and St Pat's at the moment. Our fellas have to be hungry for a final. If they're not up for a final then we're in serious trouble."

Management material in the making you would have thought, but encouraged by Damien Richardson's greater emphasis on passing the ball, and his own excellent season, the best defender in the domestic game for the last decade intends seeing out his playing career at Shelbourne for another season or two before turning to coaching.

He was good enough to play in England and worse players have won caps, but six FAI Cups, six leagues and two League Cups were adequate compensation. "Irish Rail have been very good to me, and that's basically why I didn't go to Huddersfield in 86. I just look at the career I've had and there's a lot of players in England who would swap with me for the times I've had here."