Live Updates - Limerick -v- Cork City

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LIMERICK FC

A new era has arrived for Limerick football. Newly appointed manager Stuart Taylor has compiled a squad of cross-channel talent along with the best of Limerick's First Division squad from last season. While nobody quite knows what to expect, the pedigree of the signings is impressive. Should Limerick click, they'll prove a match for anyone in the country.

Pre-season has been an unusual given the amount of time Taylor has had to assess his playing squad. While friendlies against Cobh, Mervue, Waterford and Wexford proved beneficial, the Blues' trip to Scotland was the highlight of the preparations. Limerick had tough tests against Dundee United and Hibernian, but left Scotland with satisfactory performances under their belts.

Limerick will have to make do without last season's captain Pat Purcell, Shaun Kelly and midfielder Jeffrey Judge. Both defenders are serving suspensions while Judge is recovering from illness. Dominic Foley will also face a late fitness test. Apart from those absentees, Stuart Taylor should have a full squad to choose from; including the latest arrival, Patrick Nzuzi.

Ahead of the opening game of the season, Limerick boss Taylor seemed optimistic. “Everyone is really looking forward to Sunday and getting the league started and you can’t start off with anything more exciting than a local Derby against Cork City. Cork have gone very well so far this season and it will be a great test for us. If we play the right way and everyone gives 100 percent the results will follow and we hope that is the case on Sunday. The supporters are so important to us and what we want to do here, we want to give them a team the whole Midwest can be proud of.”

CORK CITY

After some impressive performances in the Setanta Sports Cup, the Rebel Army look in fine fettle for their season opener against Munster rivals Limerick. Turning over Cliftonville and Crusaders in successive rounds, Tommy Dunne's men have nothing to fear coming into this clash.

Continuity was important for Cork who are looking to re-establish themselves as one of the superpowers of Irish football. Dunne has re-signed the bulk of last year's playing squad, added some real talent in the shape of Daryl Kavanagh and has some very promising youngsters to provide a fresh blend to the Leesiders' first team squad. All the important elements of a good footballing side appear to be on display at Turners Cross.

Tommy Dunne's injury woes have been somewhat diluted this week as Kalen Spillane, Darren Dennehy, Colin Healy and Dan Murray are all available for selection having missed the the Setanta Sports Cup clash last week. John Dunleavy and Brian Lenihan are the only injury concerns for City ahead of this massive clash at Thomond Park.

Speaking to CorkCityFC.ie, Tommy Dunne understands the magnitude of the occasion. “We have had a decent pre-season, but that is behind us now. It is a really tough match to start the season, but a really good match as well. We are going to an excellent venue, it is a local derby and it is on television as well, so it is a good game to start the season.”

“Limerick will be a very strong outfit and I think they may be a surprise package for some people this season. They have some really good players, and Stuart Taylor has brought in some decent bodies over the last few weeks. The first game of the season can be a difficult one, but we will give it everything and if we can try to get the three points it would be a great start. We are going to have tough games every week, so the start of the season will be hugely important. We are looking forward to the game, and I hope it is a really good spectacle for everyone.”

Referee: Paul McLaughlin

MATCH STATS:

There are plenty of links between both playing squads. Brian O'Callaghan, Denis Behan, Joe Gamble and Daryl Kavanagh have all played for both sides – the latter making his first appearance in this particular Munster derby.

The sides played each other six times while in the First Division – Cork won three, Limerick one once and they drew twice.

Limerick defeated Cork City last season to claim the Munster Senior Cup. Cork native David O'Leary struck late on to secure the trophy for the Shannonsiders.

BETTING:

Limerick 13/8; Draw 21/10; Cork City 13/8

PREDICTION:

Cork's more extensive preparations could tell, but Limerick should have too much quality to lose. 1-1.

Limerick FC:

Injured: Jefferey Judge (Illness)

Doubtful: Dominic Foley

Suspended: Pat Purcell, Shaun Kelly

Cork City:

Injured: Brian Lenihan, John Dunleavy

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None

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