Playing in the FAI Cup final is a dream for many players in the League of Ireland and that is no different for Bohemians defender Leigh Kavanagh as he steps out in Dalymount one victory away from an appearance at the Aviva Stadium.
Bohemians take on Derry City in Dalymount on Friday with a place in November's final on the line. The home side will be hoping to make the decider and put the disappointment of the final loss 12 months ago behind them.
Young defender Kavanagh wasn't with Bohs during that time but speaking at the launch of this years semi-finals notes the club are keen to right the wrongs from last year:
I wasn’t here last season when the boys made it to the Aviva so we’re hoping to emulate that again and get my first game in the Aviva
He first moved across the water from Bray Wanderers in a joint deal with Andy Moran, who is now flourishing at Championship side Stoke City under Spanish head coach Narcís Pèlach.
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Kavanagh Hoping To Soar Into Aviva Showpiece After Dalymount Showdown
Kavanagh spent four seasons across the water with Brighton alongside Evan Ferguson, Andy Moran and Mark O'Mahony among others. Unfortunately due to significant injuries along with a number of other factors, the 20-year-old's contract wasn't renewed leaving the door open to make the move back to the League of Ireland.
I travelled with the first team for three months, home and away. Europa League (bench) appearances, on the bench in Greece and then at home in the AMEX against Marseille. A couple of bench appearances in the Premier League and FA Cup too. It was tough to not have my contract extended, but I’ll take it as a positive that now I am playing senior football now at Bohs.
The Bray native keeps in contact with his past team-mates daily and is enjoying keeping track of the progress they are making in England:
You don’t know what way you're going to get Ev, some days he could be in a good mood and some days at dinner he wouldn't speak to you! That's just him.
We speak regularly, pretty much every day all the Irish Brighton boys we speak regularly.
Since coming back, the powerful centre-half has lined out for Bohs 10 times and has been key to his side's current FAI cup success, playing in all three ties for the Gypsies up to now.
Having previously shared accommodation with Brighton and Ireland star Evan Ferguson, Kavanagh will have to keep a close eye on another quality centre forward during the semi final as Patrick Hoban aims to claim his 3rd FAI cup title.
I’ll have a look on Friday of his movements, the club analyst too will give us good indications of the players we’re coming up against.
30 September 2024; Derry City's Ciaran Coll, left, and Daniel Kelly with Bohemians' Leigh Kavanagh and Alex Grieve, right, during the Sports Direct Men's FAI Cup semi-finals media day at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Ferguson and Moran have already got the chance to play in the national stadium and now Kavanagh hopes to emulate that feat with one more huge performance needed.
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