FAI CUP/Third Round: If Shamrock Rovers hadn't spent much of the past decade-and-a-half planning a home of their own while migrating between those of their rivals, then this evening's cup match between the Dublin club and Monaghan United might have been that little bit more special for Derek McGrath.
The midfielder spent three seasons with Rovers back when Ray Treacy was in charge before departing for Dalymount, but there's little about this evening's game to prompt any feelings of nostalgia in the 29-year-old.
Even Derek Tracey, the one player McGrath reckons has been continuously with Rovers since his departure, looks certain to miss the game due to a virus. After that, there's only the fact the shirts still look much the same to remind him he was once a Hoop himself.
"It's all changed," he says through a heavy-sounding cold that he insists won't keep him out of the game, "but I still like playing against them. The thing that's never really changed with Rovers is that they like to play football and usually let you do the same thing. We'll get more time on the ball against them than we do against some of the others, and hopefully that will at least give us a chance to make a game of it."
The visiting side will take encouragement, too, from the fact that on their last visit to Richmond Park they did something they've rarely managed this season, coming from behind - thanks to a fine goal from McGrath - to earn an away draw against St Patrick's.
In fact, they finished the game looking much the stronger and might have won it but for a lack of ruthlessness around the penalty area.
"In so many of the away games we've gone behind in the first 20 minutes, and there isn't the confidence within the team then to settle down and play football. That's what we're best at, but we end up hoofing it and it doesn't generally get us very far."
McGrath says several of United's younger players have the talent to more than hold their own at the top level, but he admits they've struggled to learn quickly enough in a season that's been a battle since the start.
Since he left Bohemians in the wake of the enforced departure of his father, Joe, he has had more opportunity than most of his current team-mates to learn all about life at the wrong end of the table.
"I asked for a transfer because of what happened and I probably rushed into taking the first move that came along after that," he says as he reflects on his transfer to Waterford United, a switch that was followed by subsequent moves to Kilkenny City and then Monaghan.
"It's been a struggle with each of them," he admits, "and it can sometimes be a bit hard to keep yourself going when the team is finding it difficult.
"But the cup is always a welcome break. I've never had a decent run in it with any of the clubs I've played for, the quarters is probably as far as I've ever been. I'd love if this was finally the year."
