Limerick FC -v- Shelbourne

LIMERICK FC

It would have been accepted had Limerick struggled to find their feet after such a lengthy absence for the Premier Division, but the Blues have really taken to life in the top tier and will look to continue their good form by making it three wins in a row when they face Alan Mathews' Shelbourne side at Thomond Park.

Limerick have no new injury worries to deal with – Dominic Foley remains out with a recurring back injury while this clash might just have come too soon for Robbie Williams. Patrick Nzuzi returns from suspension, and is expected to replace Shane Costelloe at left back for Stuart Taylor's men. 

Having played Shelbourne on a number of occasions, Limerick are well used to the passionate atmosphere on display when these sides meet. This will be the first time the sides will meet at Thomond Park, and for those familiar with this particular tie, late goals are always on the agenda. 

Speaking ahead of the Shelbourne game, Stuart Taylor was very respectful of the Reds. “I’ve no doubt that Shelbourne will go on a run of wins soon. We saw the motivation a late goal can give you in our last home game, but our job is to ensure that run of wins doesn’t start this week.” 

SHELBOURNE

Alan Mathews needed something, anything, to kick start his season and it is very possible that the late equaliser against Cork City could be the catalyst for such a turnaround. 

Scoring late on to disappoint a large and expectant home crowd can really spur on a side, as Cork City found out at the end of the 2011 season when a Graham Cummins header against Shels secured the First Division title for the Rebel Army. The next step in this revival is the Reds leaving Shannonside with something to show for their efforts.

It hasn't been a good start for the Drumcondra outfit. Following UCD's shock win against Shamrock Rovers on Friday night, Shelbourne find themselves rock bottom of the division with just two points from nine games. The rot needs to stop on Shannonside and only Glenn Cronin appears on the missing list. His ankle injury is enough to see him miss out. Shels have no suspensions this week. 

If Shelbourne could manage a win on Shannonside they would leapfrog both Bray and UCD and go into tenth spot. Although Shelbourne's home record against Limerick has been poor over the years, Shannonside has been a happy hunting ground for the Reds. The Shels supporters will be hoping that hoodoo carries over.

Referee: Neil Doyle.

MATCH STATS

The sides have met eighteen times since 2007; there has been a huge eleven goals scored in the last five minutes of those encounters.

Limerick denied Shelbourne promotion with the final kick of the 2008 season when Colin Scanlan's strike sent Dundalk back to the Premier Division.

Limerick's visit to Tolka Park in 2007 was recorded as a backdrop to a special Futbol Mundial programme on the Reds.

BETTING

Limerick 1/2; Draw 11/4; Shelbourne 6/1.

PREDICTION

Limerick 3-1 Shelbourne

Limerick FC

Injured: Dominic Foley.
Doubtful: Robbie Williams.
Suspended: None.

Shelbourne

Injured: Glen Cronin.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.