KILLIAN BRENNAN WILL experience a very different Dublin derby to the ones he is used to tonight.

The Drogheda native has fond memories of lining out in the black and red stripes of Bohemians against their southside rivals during the glory days of 2008 and 2009 when the Gypsies were Irish football’s top dogs.

Heavy financial restraints mean that three years on, Bohs are a mere shadow of their former selves as the back-to-back Premier Division-winning team have all departed with the exception of Owen Heary.

A move abroad and away from football looked Brennan’s likeliest destination, until he was persuaded to cross enemy lines and join the current league champions during the close season.

Rovers dominated domestically last year and now boast a squad which possesses a balance of talent, experience and youth that would make any manager in the league envious.

Sitting top of the table, unbeaten in the first four games and coming into tonight’s fixture on the back of a 4-0 win over Shelbourne, it looks to be one of the most one-sided derbies in years on paper.

Bohemians boss Aaron Callaghan this week likened it to David versus Goliath, and although Brennan believes that managers are always quick to play down their chances, he admits that there is currently a sizable gulf between the two clubs.

“The financial problems there have meant that they have had to bring in kids from the youth teams whereas we have seasoned pros who are playing in the league and Europe the last ten years,” he told TheScore yesterday.

But this game is going to be tough no matter who is put out to play. Players seem to get themselves worked up for the Dublin derby. You want to play in the biggest games and it is undoubtedly the biggest in the country.”

Having been involved in the League of Ireland’s fiercest rivalry several times before, he says it is not one for the faint-hearted and if a player is not up for it, then they’re in the wrong place.

“They’re feisty ones and if it is something you want to shy away from then you don’t deserve to be on the pitch.”

According to Brennan, he left the Phibsborough club on good terms after four years but is unsure of the reception he will be given on the night. In the current economic times where most players are faced with uncertainty at the end of every campaign, long term loyalty to a club takes a back seat, he insists.

“I still speak to the lads who are still there and I’ve got good memories of the club. So it’ll be a little bit of a mixture I expect. If I was a Bohs fan, I’d probably boo me!

“It’s not like years ago when you played with the one club for six or seven years. Fans have to appreciate that players need to look out for themselves and their futures.”

Fresh start

After a couple of difficult seasons, the 28-year-old decided that he would take the opportunity to do some travelling at the end of last year, and began planning a trip to Australia. Before he made the plunge, however, he was persuaded to continue his nine-year association with the Airtricity League.

“I was going to go to Australia,” he says. ”The plan was to do the whole travelling thing and I might have stayed away from football for awhile.

“I was on a bit of a downer and decided to get away. Then Stephen (Kenny) phoned me a couple of times and won me over. I’m glad I stayed and joined Rovers.”

Brennan in action for Bohs against Ollie Cahill of Shamrock Rovers in 2010. Credit: INPHO/Donall Farmer

Last season’s double winners may be out in front again but Brennan is the first to admit that their start to the 2012 campaign hasn’t been far from flawless.

“As a team, we started off slowly. Going behind in the first couple of games wasn’t ideal but we showed character to come back to win those.We had a tough game down in Cork and did well to get a point.”

There is stiff competition for places at the Tallaght club right now, which Brennan says makes training “more enjoyable”.

Due to Conor Powell’s suspension last week, the 28-year-old filled in at full-back, a position he hadn’t played in since his Derry City days, and with the former Colchester United defender still unavavailable, he may being doing the same tonight.

Everywhere on the pitch there’s competition and I think together we’re all pulling in the one direction to achieve the same goals.

“I see myself as a centre midfielder or a winger. I think I do more damage and create more. But I was asked to fill in for Conor on Friday and was happy to do so.”

Three more Brennans, Ryan, Gavin and Sean, are making waves with Mick Cooke’s Drogheda United right now but would a move to his hometown club to link up with his brothers interest Killian?

“I’ve thought about it a little bit in the past but it wouldn’t appeal to me at this point. They’re going well and the boys are all bringing that extra spark but on a personal level, hunger is a part of who I am and I feel that Rovers are going in the right direction.

“You never know, though.”