By SSE Airtricity League reporter David Goulden Although he has his FAI Cup medal from that year stowed away, there is the slightest hint of regret in David Cawley’s voice when he recalls the 2013 final. A starter in each of the rounds leading up
By SSE Airtricity League reporter David Goulden
Although he has his FAI Cup medal from that year stowed away, there is the slightest hint of regret in David Cawley’s voice when he recalls the 2013 final.
A starter in each of the rounds leading up to Sligo Rovers’ dramatic win over Drogheda United, Cawley was dropped for the Bit O’Red’s last visit to the Aviva Stadium.
Then manager Ian Baraclough favoured two players in the centre of the park to his usual three-man system, meaning Cawley missed out that afternoon.
Sligo went on to win what was one of the most dramatic deciders in the history of the competition, Anthony Elding’s 94th-minute winner securing Rovers’ fifth cup win.
Cawley has a second chance at a cup final appearance for Sligo when they take on Dundalk in Sunday evening’s semi-final.
Six years ago, the Ballina native was squeezed out of the cup final starting eleven to make way for a Danny Ventre and Joey N'do at the very peak of their powers.
On Sunday, a Rovers team without a matured Cawley would be significantly weaker one.
“Personally I’d love to play in a final because I was so close the last time”, he says.
“But as a group I just want us to get to the final.
“At the time, it was disappointing because I was involved in all the games leading up to the final. But I was young, I thought I’d get another chance but it doesn’t work like that.
“We’ve all worked hard this year and a great reward for that would be to get to a final. If we don’t, then we’ll have had a right good go at it.”
If Rovers are to take the cup back to the Benbulben foothills for a sixth time, they’ll have to do it the hard way. Recently crowned EA Sports Cup champions and back-to-back champions elect Dundalk, stand between Sligo and a place in November’s decider.
What does stand on Sligo’s side is home advantage. 2018 was a miserable year for Rovers who won just four games on their own patch. But under Liam Buckley, they are a much more assured outfit in front of their supporters.
“All semi-finals are hard”, Cawley continues.
“But if you can get any sort of advantage, you take it. It didn’t matter who we got because either way it’s a hard game. But it’s more comfortable for us to play in Sligo.
“We’re underdogs and we know that. They beat us a few weeks ago but this is a different ball game with it being a semi-final. They know it’s not going to be easy for them because we’ll do our own work on them.”
Sligo overturned Shamrock Rovers at 2013’s semi-final stage. Cawley sprung from the bench in the 35th minute after Jeff Henderson pulled up with injury.
Already one up courtesy of Ventre, Rovers saw off the Hoops, who had seven ex-Sligo players in their match day squad, with further goals from Elding and Alan Keane.
Cawley has nothing but fond memories of that day and says Buckley’s charges are doing everything to ensure Sligo can do it again in front of what is expected to be a sell-out crowd.
“I remember the atmosphere and playing against the likes of Jason McGuinness and Mark Quigley”, he recalls.
“It’s small things you remember like Anthony Elding ripping off his jersey after he scored and Raff Cretaro winning (Keane’s) penalty. The whole buzz around the place when the final whistle went was incredible, even though we had the game tied up.
“It’s great to be around the club now with everyone talking about the game, the ticket sales and it’s something we’re really looking forward to.
“The young lads haven’t really played in front of a packed Showgrounds. We’ve had great attendances this season, but it’ll be a special night if we can get through in front of a sell-out crowd.”
Cawley is one of four current Rovers players to have an FAI Cup medal. Even though now a senior member of the club’s playing staff, the former Ipswich youth is keen to allow the younger players feel their own way as kick-off approaches.
“Going into last year’s league cup semi-final I said a few pieces. I told them how great it would be to get to a final.
“Over the years, lads have asked me here what it was like getting to a final and the buzz and that. I haven’t said anything yet, but they’ll feel it themselves as they go along.”
