When Bohemians midfielder Keith Buckley shared a dressing room with Ian Morris last season, he certainly didn't expect to be facing a team managed by the defender this term.
Veteran Morris, 32, left the Gypsies at the end of last season and his subsequent appointment as Shelbourne head coach sees him back at Dalymount Park in an FAI Cup First Round clash tonight.
Buckley isn't surprised to see his former team-mate in the dugout, but is taken aback by how quick Morris has risen through the ranks.
"I knew he would become a manager or a coach," Buckley said. "Even in training, the way he talks, you knew that eventually he would go and do that.
"But that quick? I never thought that.
"I think Ian's only 32. He was thinking about it in fairness. I think he was saying: 'I'd love to be a manager before I was 34 or 35'.
"He's been successful so far I think."
And Keith Long's men won't be overlooking Shelbourne, with Buckley insisting that their First Division form and ex Bohemians contingent ensuring they pose a significant danger.
Buckley said: "This is a massive game. We're not looking ahead of Shels, you can see how well they're doing in the league. The experience they have - I think (Ciaran) Kilduff has won one, maybe two, cups.
"They have players there. Conan Byrne has won a cup, throughout their squad you've Ryan Brennan - who has been at top clubs and involved in finals as well - so it's going to be a big one.
"There's eight or nine who are ex Bohs so they're going to be out there to prove a point.
"It'll be interesting because we're so close to each other in a way, with so many ex players."
But the midfielder is unlikely to feature tonight.
Buckley has been suffering with cellulitis and missed training this week after an infection in his foot forced him onto the sidelines.
Buckley added: "I'm still struggling at the moment. I have to take antibiotics and stuff to try and get the swelling down and hope to get back in training this week.
"It depends on how it heals and stuff like that because I've an infection in my foot so it's not as if it's a muscle injury and you can set a time on it. It just depends on the antibiotics and how they kick in."
Keith Buckley was speaking at the launch of the #ThisIsMyDublin campaign promoting Dublin City Sportsfest 2019. Sportsfest is a week-long celebration of sport and physical activity from 23-29 of September. Everyone is encouraged to participate regardless of age, ability or background.
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