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Keith Fahey's return to St Patrick's Athletic last year was feted as a homecoming but, in spite of finishing the season with his first FAI Cup medal, it wasn't a happy home for the Tallaght man.

“It wasn't an enjoyable year, no,” he said when pressed on his reasons for moving a few stops down the LUAS line to Shamrock Rovers.

“I didn't enjoy my year down there. I won the Cup with Pats and I enjoyed that but since I've come here it's probably the best decision I've made in a long time.

“I'm happier here, the training, going into training is more enjoyable. There is more organisation around things and things seem to be done to a higher spec here to be honest.

“Nothing to do with bigger clubs or smaller club, just day to day coming into training and working with the people I'm working with.”

While Fahey refused to elaborate on the exact reasons he was so unhappy, it's clear that he simply wasn't enjoying his football during his third stint at Richmond Park.

He played the first half of the season in a more defensive role than he's used to, and he came in for some criticism as the former Irish international displaced fan favourite Greg Bolger from his preferred position.

Fahey began to flourish during the summer when he moved into a more advanced role, and his performance away at Legia Warsaw was of the vintage he displayed against Hertha Berlin six years previously and which earned him a move to Birmingham City.

Though in Longford Fahey played relatively deeply alongside Stephen McPhail, with Gary McCabe occupying the position behind the striker, he's likely to be promoted further up the pitch when both McPhail and Pat Cregg are fit.

Fahey insists he's happy to play wherever he's asked, but it's obvious his latest experience in Inchicore still rankles, and he'll relish the greater freedom to create under Pat Fenlon's comparatively less restrictive system.

“Last season it was a rigid formation there. I ended up playing deeper.

“It took me a while to get fit last season and when I did play up further after the Legia Warsaw games I think I kicked on and played my best football a little bit further up the pitch.

“I can play deeper as well so whichever way Pat wants to play me in particular games or not play me I’m sure he’ll decide.”

With Cork City set to visit Tallaght Stadium on Friday, attention will naturally be drawn to the international caps in both midfields, with Liam Miller and Colin Healy up against McPhail and Fahey.

Of the four, Fahey's international experience is the most recent, but he plays down the importance of representative honours in a division that suddenly seems to be stacked with quality midfielders.

“Across the board – Dundalk, Pats – there seems to be a lot of strong midfields. This time last year it was about me and Stephen and the build up to games but there seems to be more and more [professionals in the UK and former Irish internationals] coming back now.

“It’s great for the league and it’s great for younger players that they have senior professionals that have played at decent levels to learn from if they want.”

Another player returning after a successful pro career in England and Scotland was Pat Cregg, whose industry in the centre of the park should ensure Fahey is able to take up more advanced positions this season.

“He's very important. Pat’s made him captain in a couple of the pre-season games. He is a leader on the pitch and we need good leaders on the pitch.

“His quality is as good as anybody’s in the squad and you’ve Ryan Brennan as well, Gavin Brennan, Gary McCabe who can play in there. We have good options but I’ve been really impressed by Pajo.”

At the other end of the age spectrum, Fenlon has tended towards youth in his recruitment, with Mikey Drennan, Brandon Miele and Gareth McCaffrey coming in after unsuccessful spells with Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Hibernians respectively.

“The young lads have great attitudes. They’re all willing to learn and eager to do well. I’ve been really impressed by them.

“Mikey has come in and looking a little bit sharper in training each week. Brandon has come back as well so we’ve a few that want to do well and look to go back across some day hopefully.”

It's an experience with which Fahey is familiar. He tread similar ground when, as a homesick 20-year-old, he returned from Aston Villa and trained with Bluebell United before earning a contract with the Saints.

Bluebell is a well-worn path for young players from South Dublin looking to resurrect their careers after being knocked back in the UK. Richie Towell trained with the club as he mulled over offers

from Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers, as did Miele before signing for the Hoops.

“I can’t remember the amount of games I played (for bluebell) but people talk to me as if I was playing there for a long time.”

Fahey said he'd had a chat with Drennan and Miele over a coffee but he hadn't specifically offered them any advice as they look to raise their fortunes back in Ireland.

“I know when I came back when I was younger I was pissed off with football, the whole lot. I didn't really enjoy my time away but I don't know what their situation is. I'm sure they have ambitions to get there. If you get released from any club it’s not nice. I'm sure they would like another chance.”

One man who isn't looking for another chance is Ireland centurion Damien Duff, who has signalled his desire to play in the League of Ireland when he returns home in the summer, with a Dublin club his likely destination.

Asked whether he'd be having a word with his former international team-mate to tempt him towards Tallaght, Fahey gave nothing away.



“I don't have his number,” he laughed.