Season Preview: Limerick FC

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Limerick FC have strengthened since November and The Shannonsiders will be looking to improve on last year's poor seventh-placed finish in what was considered a rebuilding season for Pat Scully’s side.

The early part of Limerick’s off-season was surrounded by numerous transfer rumours with many supporters eager to see who Pat Scully was going to bring in.

As the players began to return for an early pre-season, a mere two weeks after Christmas, new faces were spotted. For the first time many years, there was reason to be excited. Scully has signed no less than seven new players to date - three whom have played with the club previously.

Striker Stephen O’ Flynn’s inevitable move back to England will be a huge loss and in order to challenge for the First Division title Limerick need a replacement natural goal scorer, which is never easy to find.

2010 could be a successful season for Scully’s side as he looks to bring the club back up to the Premier Division after 16 years of exile. On paper he has built a strong enough squad to challenge for a play-off spot, but a lack of a goal scorer could be their undoing.

Team: Limerick FC

Manager: Pat Scully

Players In: Shane Clarke (Janesboro FC), Sean Kelly (Galway United), Declan Cahill (Blarney United), Stephen Hickey (Rock Rovers), Peter White (Wexford Youths), Jeffrey Judge (Fairview Rangers), John McGuinness (Athlone Town)

Players Out: Dave Ryan (Pike Rovers), Bobby Tier (Janesboro), Shane Waters (Star Rovers), Wayne Colbert (Pike Rovers), Stephen O' Flynn (Northampton)

One To Watch: Shane Tracy

Prediction: 7th