FAI Cup semi-final build-up: Emmet Malone talks to striker Seán Francis who has no regrets about moving to Longford

Having spent the bulk of his time with Cobh Ramblers and Shamrock Rovers since arriving from Birmingham for what was supposed to be a short stint in Ireland a decade ago, Seán Francis's FAI Cup scrapbook may not be decorated with too many tales of glory.

With his current club, Longford, going into tomorrow evening's semi-final of the Carlsberg-sponsored competition against Galway United as favourites to reach their second final of the season, however, the 31-year-old is hoping he will finally get a chance to play a starring role on the Irish game's biggest stage.

The striker knows all about losing in this round of the competition with Rovers having gone out in the semis on two occasions during his time there.

Then, last year, it appeared they, and he, might have cracked it when Rovers won through to play Derry City in the decider. As he thinks back now to the defeat he sighs mournfully and laughs, "I'm not exactly a lucky charm when it comes to the latter stages of this thing."

Despite the result of the Derry game, Francis does remember the occasion as one that marked a significant and, he insists, positive turning point in his career. As he sat on the bench for all but a few minutes of the contest, he decided it was time to move on.

"In truth, I suppose I'd already decided to look for a transfer but that was really the final straw," he says. "In the previous couple of seasons I think I'd done well for the club, got into double figures both years, but last season I couldn't really understand why I wasn't given the chance to play alongside Tony Grant again because we'd done well together. The cup final brought it home to me it wasn't going to happen and I decided I'd had enough."

After it became known he was available he had a few offers but Alan Matthews did a good job on selling Longford to him and when he talked to players he knew at the club they encouraged him to make the switch. As he approaches the end of his first full season at Flancare Park, the Englishman has no regrets about his decision.

"I don't want be negative about Rovers but to be honest people are a lot more relaxed here," he says. "At Rovers there was always something going on in the background whereas here there are none of those issues about the ground or any of that.

"When I was there, like everyone else, I was really desperate to play at Tallaght and I hope for everyone's sake they get in there as soon as possible but here you can just get on with things, the manager and the players, because Longford is a club in a position to have long-term aspirations while Rovers are still in a situation where they're living day to day."

His first goal in a Longford shirt proved a little elusive for Francis but a flurry at the end of last season played a major part in securing a mid-table place for the club. This term, despite a spell back on the sidelines, he has scored nine goals in the league and three in the cup.

"I wouldn't say that the fact I've scored regularly here proves anything in terms of Rovers but what it does suggest to me is that I was right to move on."

Matthews speaks highly of the striker and insists, even when the goals weren't flowing, his overall contribution to the team made him look a very worthwhile acquisition.

With Eric Lavine and Shane Barrett ruled out of tomorrow's game, however, there may be just a little more pressure than usual on the 31-year-old to provide the required breakthrough against Galway but then his form of late suggests he is capable of making a major impact on the game.

"In fairness, we've got a fair few options here and either Liam Kelly or Patrick Mulvihill will probably come in so we'll still be strong anyway.

"It's a game that everyone wants to play in, though, and I'm just looking forward to it. They're talking about it being a full house in Longford and it would be great if we could get the club to another final."

Francis isn't counting any chickens, of course. He knows better than most, after all, just what tricky things these semi-finals can turn out to be.