Leigh Kavanagh: 'It was difficult to watch others getting their chance when I didn’t'

Leigh Kavanagh is back playing for Bohemian's but whilst happy for his friends found it difficult not getting his chance with Brighton.

Fri, 04 Oct, 2024 - 06:48

John Fallon

Leigh Kavanagh was once part of the Irish Brighton Brigade – a housemate of Evan Ferguson – but none have come as close as him to reaching a Cup final.

Kavanagh moved from Bray Wanderers in a joint-deal with Andy Moran and, despite observing with envy his pals flourish into first-team exposure, he’s no regrets about his UK stint.

He wasn’t long released from the Premier League club in July when Bohemians pounced and the centre-back is within 90 minutes of becoming an FAI Cup finalist.

Ferguson and Moran have graced Lansdowne Road as Ireland full internationals and now he could be heading there on November 10 if they overcome high-flying Derry City.

“It was difficult to watch others getting their chance when I didn’t but I was happy for the lads,” confesses the 20-year-old about the Brighton breakthroughs.

“We’re all good friends. Pretty much every day all the Irish Brighton boys still speak to each other. Gary Dicker was there as our U21 manager and Mark O’Mahony has gone out to Portsmouth this season and is kicking on.”

Ferguson’s growth has been exceptional despite his long injury-enforced absence during the year. His ruthlessness in front of goal has earned him an array of suitors and his fellow lodger knows all about his personality.

“You don’t know what way you're going to get with Ev,” explains Kavanagh. “Some days he could be in a good mood and some days at dinner he wouldn't speak to you! That's just him.

“We were in digs with another local lad and the host lady became like a second mum to me.”

Kavanagh was part of the Brighton first-team towards the end of Roberto De Zerbi tenure before departing.

“I travelled with the first team for three months, home and away,” he outlined. “There were Europa League games in Greece and home to Marseille, as well as Premier League and FA Cup matches too but I didn’t come off the bench.

“It was tough to not have my contract extended, but I’ll take it as a positive that now I am playing senior football now at Bohs.”

Their prospects of reaching a third FAI Cup final in four year could hinge on how successful Kavanagh is shackling Pat Hoban. He’s shot to the first of the league’s scoring charts since moving from Dundalk in pre-season and his physicality will test even someone of his marker’s build.

“I haven’t played Derry this season,” he noted about his relative newness to the domestic league.

“Hopefully Dalymount will be lively, a difficult atmosphere for Derry to come into.

“I’ll wait until matchday before looking at his (Hoban’s) movements. The club analyst too will give us good indications of the players we’re coming up against.”

Victory is essential to save a season for Bohs which began with such optimism but has only delivered on one front. Declan Devine paid the price for failing to recover from last year’s underwhelming run-in and his successor Alan Reynolds has also found the going sticky. Last Friday’s win at Dundalk staved off the threat from Drogheda United to dump Bohs into the relegation playoff berth but a four-point gap still leaves them susceptible with five league games left.

Those worries will be parked for this one-off shot at ending 16-year wait for the FAI Cup. A finalist will be found, even if it takes extra-time and penalties.

“Our Cup win over Shamrock Rovers in July was my first start for Bohs,” the Wicklowman noted.

“That was a good win but we’ve had different results since. It was a tough start, taking me a couple of weeks to get up to speed after being in the off-season in the UK, but I have really enjoyed being home and being at Bohs. It’s been amazing overall so getting to play my first game at Lansdowne would cap it off.”