Caulfield might feel at home against old pals
HOME FARM V CORK CITY
JOHN CAULFIELD will encounter plenty of familiar faces in the Home Farm ranks today, aware they possess the wherewithal to provide an early test to Cork City’s ambitions of landing a three-in-arow of Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup crowns.
The Leinster Senior League’s team manager, John Hand, was a rival of Caulfield’s during his successful spell at Munster Senior League club Avondale United. Hand’s Tolka Rovers took United to an FAI Intermediate Cup semi-final replay in 2006, before bowing out to the eventual champions.
Ollie Cahill’s presence in the home side will also provoke memories for Caulfield, albeit in a friendlier context. They were team-mates in 1998 when City lifted the FAI Cup following a replay against Shelbourne.
After a relentless period of eight matches in five weeks, coupled with their trip to Rosenborg on Thursday for the Europa League second leg, Caulfield intends to freshen up the Cork starting team. He won’t be weakening it to the point of exposing them to a potential defeat that would rank as a major FAI Cup shock.
‘I’ve learned a lot about this Home Farm team’s strengths in recent weeks, not just the experience of manager John Hand and Ollie Cahill playing in their team,’ stressed the Rebels’ boss.
‘They have a lot of young talent too and we’ll have to be at our best.’
Cahill is 11 years younger than Caulfield and though his professional career ceased at the end of the 2011 season, the lure of lining out for a Home Farm club steeped in history brought him back to the football pitch last year.
In the interim, he rekindled his love for Gaelic games by playing for St Vincent’s, something he was content doing until his son joined Home Farm’s Academy.
Hand invited him back into the fold and he accepted and so, at age of 42, he will give Cork fans a reminder of talent in the opposition ranks.
‘Fitness-wise, Ollie is still in great condition,’ emphasised Hand. ‘He’s become a great influence on the team since joining last year, not just with his performances but as someone or younger players look up to and take advice from.’
As regards today’s clash, Hand says: ‘All we can look is prepare correctly and give it our best shot. Cork, as the league and cup champions, were the team we wanted in the draw and I know our energetic team will be up for the challenge.”
In today’s other final tie of the first round, Ulster Senior League outfit Cockhill Celtic welcome struggling Premier Division side Limerick to Buncrana. Kick off at Charlie O’Donnell Park is 3pm.
Today, Whitehall, 1.0pm