EA Sports Cup Preview: Limerick FC -v- Galway United

A semi-final berth in the EA Sports Cup is up for grabs when First Division pacesetters Limerick welcome Galway United to Markets Field, with kick-off set for 7.15pm. 

LIMERICK FC

Another rampant victory for the Blues on Saturday further emphasised their superiority in the First Division. This tie arguably represents the sternest test faced by Martin Russell’s side.

This 7-2 slaying of Waterford United did come at a cost, with Garbhan Coughlan hobbling off in the opening stages with a knee complaint. While he looks likely to miss out, Robbie Williams returns from suspension to bolster Limerick’s defensive opportunities.

Boss Martin Russell will also have his son, Sean, available for this clash, after he put pen to paper prior to the weekend, though Seamus Sharkey looks set to miss out once more.  

Speaking with Limerick FC TV after his sides win, captain Shane Duggan “It’s a break from the league, a chance to get into a cup semi-final, everyone believing we can go far in this competition and get to the final, and that’s what we’ll be looking to do.

He also touched the influence of John O’Flynn, who’s scored four goals in the EA Sports Cup, “Everyone knew his quality when he was coming in, he’s a proven goal scorer around the league – he’s top quality.”

Despite his three goals, O’Flynn could possibly be dropped to the bench, with the lone striking duties being spilt between himself and Mulhall so far. Lee Lynch should replace Coughlan in midfield, while Tony Whitehead may have to contend with a spot on the bench with vice-captain Williams almost certain to return to the starting eleven.

GALWAY UNITED

A hugely frustrating draw against struggling Longford Town on Friday will have annoyed all members of the United tribe, who may have one eye on gaining more Premier Division points rather than this cup competition.

Manager Tommy Dunne was quick to stress an improved performance, “You’re going to Dundalk… if you pick up three points tonight and then anything you get in Dundalk in a week’s time, it’s a bonus. We’ve got to play Tuesday and we’ve got to play Friday. It’s a lot of games and Dundalk will be resting up, ready to play us.”

The former Cork City boss went on to tell the official club website, GalwayUnitedfc.ie, “We’ve got to up our game. We were poor tonight, poor all over the pitch, from start to finish. We’ve got to make sure we pick our performance up, first on Tuesday and then going into the Dundalk match”.

Dunne is certain to be without Padraic Cunningham having been injured almost immediately after his introduction on Friday, “We’re not sure yet but it looks like possible cartilage damage. He has to get a scan and we’ll know more then.”

Ex-blues Stephen Folan and in-form Vinny Faherty look certain to be out with respective back and concussion injuries while Kevin Devaney has begun his injury rehabilitation and is some time away from a return.

Though he’d “like to be at full strength”, planning without Faherty and Cunningham in particular appears to have hampered his sides hopes of joining Shamrock Rovers, Derry City and St. Patricks Athletic in the last four.

Referee: Anthony Buttimer

MATCH STATS

Galway marksman Vinny Faherty scored four goals for Limerick against United last season, but will miss the tie due to concussion.

Limerick have now scored 51 goals in 13 games (League, EA Sports Cup and Munster Senior Cup), with Cobh Ramblers the only side to keep a clean sheet against them thus far.

Galway were runners-up in 2015, while Limerick last contested a semi-final in August 2012, losing to Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght, just a day after their high profile friendly with Manchester City.
 

BETTING
Limerick 1/2; Draw 7/2; Galway United 4/1

PREDICTION
Limerick 2-1 Galway United

Limerick

Injured: None 

Doubtful: Seamus Sharkey (head), Garbhan Coughlan (knee)

Suspended: None

Galway United

Injured: Padraic Cunningham (knee), Vinny Faherty (concussion), Stephen Folan (back), Kevin Devaney (leg)

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None