Limerick -v- St. Patrick's Athletic

LIMERICK FC

Although their performances may not have produced as many points as they feel they deserve, Limerick have been an excellent addition to the Premier Division.

Last week saw Limerick travel to the home of the champions. The Blues took the lead but a goal and assist from Anthony Elding proved too much for the Blues, who probably deserved a point out of the tie. With their only win coming against a lowly UCD, Limerick will look to capitalise on the lack of games St. Patrick's Athletic have had to face.

Barry Ryan and Axel Bossekota are suspended for this tie, while Rory Gaffney, David O'Leary, Jeffrey Judge, Robbie Williams and Dominic Foley all look like this clash has come too early for them to be in contention.

Stuart Taylor seemed upbeat ahead of the game with the Inchicore outfit. “We are really looking forward to the next series of games. The lads have taken great confidence from the performance away to Sligo Rovers and the dressing room is buzzing and looking forward to our next two home games against St.Pats on Saturday and Shamrock Rovers the following Tuesday. St. Pat's are a very good footballing side and we can’t wait to get back out in front of our excellent home support in Thomond Park and put in another good display for them.”

ST. PATRICK'S ATHLETIC

Having not played in over two weeks, Liam Buckley's men will be eager to get some points on the board when they travel to Thomond Park, having seen their games called off in previous weeks.

An opening day win over Drogheda United courtesy of a scrappy Shane McFaul goal was enough to lift spirits in Inchicore, for a week at least. The Saints went into the season's first Dublin derby with high expectations but three schoolboy errors handed Shamrock Rovers a derby day victory. The Saints will be eager to put that loss behind them with a positive result in Limerick.

In team news for this weekend’s game, Saints’ manager Liam Buckley has a full squad to choose from, meaning that Stephen Maher is in contention for his first competitive game since joining the club and that former Limerick keeper Dave Ryan is available to face his former side having returned to full training after recovering from a hand injury.

“Limerick have had a solid start to the season and have caught the eye of a lot of people in their opening games to date with some very good performances to date,” stated Buckley when speaking to stpatsfc.com. 

“Stuart Taylor has put a decent squad together in a short space of time and they’ll be tough to beat on Saturday.  But we’re really keen to get back to action as we’ve had a full squad idle now for two weeks now so it’ll be good to get back playing and hopefully a win.”

While the returning Dave Ryan potentially faces his former club, he is however spared the prospect of playing against his older brother and former Saints’ number one, Barry Ryan as he serves a one match ban.  However having played for Limerick in their first game in Thomond Park last year versus Manchester City, 24 year old Dave is hoping to have better memories of the ground after being stretchered off in the game with the English Champions.

“Yeah that wasn’t the best of days for me getting injured against City, but hopefully things will be different this weekend,” Ryan told stpatsfc.com.  “Thomond Park is a spectacular ground, easily one of the best in Ireland, and will be tough to play there though as Limerick are off to a flyer at the moment, the squad they have there now have a few points on the board already so they look good.

“But we’ll be looking for the 3 points and get back up the table as it’s been tough the past few weeks with no games while teams like Limerick have been in action.”

Referee: Anthony Buttimer

MATCH STATS:

The last time the sides met competitvely, the Saints won an FAI Cup tie in Jackman Park by a goal to nil.

Out of Limerick's XI that day, four are still playing LOI; two for Limerick (Tracy, O'Callaghan), one for Cobh (Deady) and one, ironically, for St. Pat's (Ryan).

The only survivor from the Pat's squad that day was an unused substitute – Brendan Clarke.

BETTING:

Limerick 13/8; Draw 21/10; St. Patrick's 6/4

PREDICTION:

Limerick 2-1 St. Patrick's Athletic

Limerick FC

Injured: Rory Gaffney, David O'Leary, Robbie Williams, Dominic Foley, Jeffrey Judge.
Suspended: Axel Bossekota, Barry Ryan.

St. Patrick's Athletic

Injured: None.
Suspended: None.