FAI CUP DRAW:MAYFIELD UNITED manager Tadhg O'Neill described as "frightening" the Munster Senior League side being paired with FAI Cup holders and League of Ireland champions Bohemians away in the third round draw made at Dublin's Burlington Hotel last night.
Nonetheless delighted with the prospect, O’Neill had a touch of bad news for his young team as they can now cancel an expected week off after lifting the MSL First Division title a fortnight ago as they prepare for their trip to Dalymount Park in just under three weeks.
“It’s fantastic, we couldn’t ask for any more,” said O’Neill. “It’s something the club were hoping for as it’s our first time at this stage of the cup. It’s incredible to think that I’ll be up against a manager like Pat Fenlon.
“It’s absolutely frightening, but it will be a great experience for us. We have a lot of young players and it will be great for them.
“We were going to take this week off. I think we can’t now, I think we’ll have to go back training tomorrow night.”
Though his hometown district, former Manchester United captain and Ireland star, current Ipswich Town manager Roy Keane never played for Mayfield, his brothers Johnson and Pat did.
The current Mayfield squad has some League of Ireland experience in striker Robert Brosnan, who played with Waterford United, and ex-Cobh defender Anthony Wolfe.
O’Neill gets an early chance to run the rule over Bohemians close to home as they play Cork City in a top-of-the-table league clash at Turner’s Cross on Friday night.
Last year’s beaten finalists Derry City have a home tie with the winners of the second round replay between Ballymun United and Fanad United, while Tralee Dynamos, the first Kerry team to reach this stage, play hosts to Salthill Devon in an all “A” Championship tie.
“It’s massive for Tralee,” said Dynamoes player Brian Fitzgerald. “It’s our first time, Tralee and Kerry. It’s a massive achievement and we’re really up for it and looking forward to it.”
In only two all-Premier Division clashes, Shamrock Rovers host Drogheda United while Cork City play Sligo Rovers.
