League Preview: Limerick -v- Drogheda United

LIMERICK              

Limerick will be hoping to pull themselves five points clear of the relegation zone with victory over a Drogheda United side who have failed to win in their last twenty league games.

Neil McDonald’s currently sit 7th in the Premier Division on 36 points, a point ahead of both St. Patrick’s Athletic and Sligo Rovers and two ahead of Galway United who sit 10th while Finn Harps are 11th on 30 points.  

The Shannonsiders’ are currently on a three game unbeaten streak in the league after beating league leaders Cork in between draws against Bray and relegation rivals St. Patrick's Athletic.

It was a dramatic ending to the game against St. Pat’s at Richmond Park last week. Chiedozie Ogbene had given Limerick the lead in the 44^th minute before his former teammate, Paul O’Conor equalised for Pats’.

Conan Byrne then gave Pats a second half lead before Shane Duggan’s dramatic 95^th minute equaliser rescued a point for Limerick, a result Duggan called massive when speaking to Limerick’s official website.

“It was a massive point for us. We knew coming here (Richmond Park) it was going to be a very hard task because they have been flying it lately at home.”

“It’s a tough place to come, so I think we’ll take the point at the end. To get it with the last kick of the game, literally, is massive for us,” Duggan said.

“It puts us in a good position because we have got two massive home games coming up. If we can pick up a win next week it would put us in a really strong position.”

“That’s what we’re fully focused on. There is nothing else we can do – we have to go out there and get that win next week,” Duggan told Limerick’s website after the game vs Pats.

In team news, Limerick will have to do without Shane Duggan this week through suspension while they have no reported injury worries.

DROGHEDA UNITED

Relegated Drogheda United head to Limerick on Saturday evening for the third last game of the season as they look to end a twenty game winless league run.

Second half goals from Ronan Finn and Brandon Miele saw the Boynesiders lose 2-0 to Shamrock Rovers last week in a game where Drogheda should have been in front at half time.

“I thought we were decent first-half but once Rovers scored they had complete control. We could’ve gone into the break with the lead but we went into our shell once again when things went against us,” Mahon told the club’s official website.

Drogheda’s final three games will have major implications on who will join them in the First Division next season as they face Limerick on Saturday before facing Finn Harps and Sligo Rovers.

Mahon is fully aware of the importance of the three games and Drogheda’s need to find a result and hopes his side can finally replicate training on match day.

"Both days of training this week have been excellent and it has me wondering why we can’t replicate it on match day? The ability is there, they just need the right guidance and experience on the pitch and I hope we can address that next season."

“I can’t deny that it is tough to play against a side with everything on the line and us already relegated. The opposition have that intensity and aggression and we need to match it.”

“That’s why it’s so important that we get a win under our belts in the next three games. We owe it to our fans first and foremost but also to the league in general.”

“Our last win against Limerick came in the Markets Field a couple of years ago and we haven’t had much luck against them since, conceding equalisers twice in stoppage time. Hopefully we can change that on Saturday,” Mahon said.

Drogheda will be without the injured Jake Hyland, Stephen Dunne, Ryan Masterson, Gavin Brennan and Ciarán McGuigan while Thomas Byrne is doubtful following an injury he picked up on international duty.

Referee: Andrew Mullally.

MATCH STATS

Limerick’s first game on their return to Market’s Field was against Drogheda United in June 2015 in a game where goals from Michael Daly and Lee Duffy game Drogheda the win.

In the two games between these sides this season, Limerick have come out on top comfortably, winning the first 3-0 at Market’s Field in April and the second 2-0 at United Park in June.

Limerick have won nine games this season, five of them at Market’s Field and four of those away from away. Meanwhile, Drogheda have won just four games this season, two at home and two away.

BETTING

Limerick 2/7; Draw 9/2; Drogheda United 9/1.

PREDICTION

Limerick 2-1 Drogheda United

Limerick

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Shane Duggan.

Drogheda United

Injured: Jake Hyland, Stephen Dunne, Ryan Masterson, Gavin Brennan, Ciarán McGuigan.

Doubtful: Thomas Byrne.

Suspended: None.