Lee Lynch - The Signs Look Good For Limerick

Midfielder Lee-J Lynch believes the “signs look good for Limerick”, with the local star hoping they can “kick on” next season both on and off the pitch.

The Superblues have enjoyed a positive end to their 2014 campaign, rattling off three straight wins ahead of their final outing at Shamrock Rovers this weekend.

During last Friday’s 1-0 victory over Sligo Rovers – where Lynch won League and FAI Cup medals in a two-year spell – Chairman Pat O’Sullivan announced plans to return to the Markets Field next term.
 

And the 22-year-old says their move back to their spiritual home will be “great for the city”, as Limerick look to re-establish themselves as one of the top teams in the country.
 

Lynch admits that will “take time” and has asked for supporters’ patience, but he is looking forward to a positive off-season where manager Martin Russell is sure to be busy in the transfer market.
 

“Since Martin has come in he’s changed the club and changed the philosophy of the football that we play,” Lee-J told LimerickFC.ie.
 

“I think the fans and everyone involved with the club can see that. Being honest, the signs look good for Limerick. It’s just we need to do well in the off-season, get our heads down and hopefully the club sign well and kick on for next year.
 

“It’s all there for us, especially moving back into the Markets Field. It seems like everything is meant to be to move back in there, with a new team, and hopefully we can get top-four next season – that will be a goal.
 

“Being a Limerick lad, I think I know what the Markets Field is all about, hearing it from my grandfathers and uncles. It’s going to be great for the city and great for the team.
 

“I think all the boys who have been playing in Thomond Park are a bit frustrated because it’s so big. It’s a great facility but it’s too big for this league.
 

“It’s great that we’re going to the Markets Field and hopefully it’s done right and the fans can enjoy it as well as us playing there.”
 

Limerick, currently sixth, could finish fifth if they overcome the Hoops this Friday, although they would also need Sligo to lose at home to Saint Patrick’s Athletic. That combination would see them end in their highest position since 1989.
 

A point would be enough to confirm their highest placing since 1993, but a top-half finish would still be guaranteed if Derry City fail to win at Bohemians, who are unbeaten at Dalymount Park in eight league games.
 

“It would be great,” Lee-J said on the potential of a fifth-placed finish. “We know that – Martin has said it to us, obviously depending on Sligo’s result. We need to go up and do the business against Shamrock Rovers.
 

“It’s another good challenge. Sligo is a great challenge going into the end of the season. We have to be on our toes and it’s the same going up to Tallaght.
 

“It’s a good pitch; they play right football, as do we. If we can get a result up there it would be great going into the off-season on a high.”
 

Limerick have so far taken 18 points from the 30 on offer in the final round of matches, just one less than potential champions Dundalk, and the former West Bromwich Albion youngster has been pleased with that tally.
 

“It’s a very good return,” he said. “Martin has only come in halfway through the season, like myself and a couple of other lads, and we’ve had to gel with the squad that was already here.
 

“Martin is going to try to build on the squad for next year obviously. At the end of the day, it’s up to us to do the business on the pitch and to put the work in at training.
 

“I think since we’ve done that and since we’ve tried to play the right way under Martin, we’re starting to get the results from it. It’s going to take time and the fans need to stick with us, but I think the results will come and hopefully we can push on next season.”