St Patrick Athletic striker Gary O’Neill is hoping he can finally get his hands on a FAI Cup winners’ medal this season.

Despite lining out for some of the best League of Ireland sides in recent years, O’Neill has continually come up short in the FAI Cup and was part of the Bohemians side that was surprisingly humbled by Dundalk in 2002 final.

However, the former Shelbourne man wants to bring that run of bad luck to an end this season, and at the same time, secure St Pat’s their first cup triumph since 1947.

“It would be nice to get an FAI Cup medal,” O’Neil told the Irish Star. “I was at Bohs and came on in the final when Dundalk beat us.

“You only get one chance a year to win this competition – there’s no comeback from a poor performance.

“The FAI Cup definitely doesn’t take a back seat for me.”

The Inchicore outfit host Longford Town on Friday night, as memories of the Midlanders’ FAI Cup final defeat of the Saints in 2003 come flooding back.

Town reclaimed the trophy the following season, but in the First Division now, Aaron Callaghan’s charges are in a period of rebuilding following relegation last season.

However, according to O’Neill, Pat’s will not be underestimating their challenge.

“The important thing after the Bohs and Galway results is to get back to winning ways, and it would be great for the club if we could get a good cup run going,” he added.

“It being a home tie, we hope to take the game to them and get a result.

“I know it will be a different Longford team, but they have a great recent cup history.

“We won’t be taking anything for granted. We have been preparing properly all week and we will produce a professional job.”

Next Fixture

vs DROGHEDA UNITED

Date: June 12th (7:45pm)
Competition: League
Venue: Richmond Park
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Team	Pld	Pts
Shamrock Rovers	20	40
Bohemian FC	20	34
St Patrick's Athletic	19	32
Dundalk	19	29
Shelbourne	19	26
Derry City	20	22
Galway United	18	21
Drogheda United	19	21
Sligo Rovers	19	19
Waterford FC	19	11