19.45 7 Aug 2014 -
Referee: Graham Kelly
League Preview: Limerick FC -v- Bray Wanderers
- Tom Clancy
- Thu, Aug 07 2014
LIMERICK FC
Martin Russell will be hoping to witness another superb performance after his new side dismantled Shamrock Rovers last Friday night. The Dubliner added five players last week, with Kieran Djilali and Extratime.ie MOTM Lee Lynch featuring against The Hoops, while it was another July addition, Ian Turner, who found the net in a rain soaked Thomond Park.
Russell will be without Shane Tracy who is nearing a return after nearly two months out. He will also have to plan without Colm Murphy who suffered concussion against Sligo Rovers. Joey N’do is unlikely to feature, due to injury, despite the excitement surrounding his signing last week.
Limerick will likely stick with the same starting XI that led 3-0 after just 25 minutes against The Hoops. That will mean more game time for Rory Gaffney, the talented Tuam native received praise from his manager for his display last week “Since I’ve come to the Club, and what I’ve seen that’s probably Rory’s best performance”,
While the ex-UCD boss also told Limerickfc.ie he “was happy with the signings we made and that we managed to keep Rory and Stephen Folan. With the group that we have going forward to the end of the season, I’m happy.”
Thursday will mean that Limerick will now have played in Thomond Park on every day of the week since it became their temporary home, with the World Club Sevens taking place in the iconic venue over the weekend.
BRAY WANDERERS
While Limerick triumphed against a disjointed Shamrock Rovers, Bray were snatching a late, late point against Athlone Town. It represented Wicklow Club’s first point since the end of May, and meant it wasn’t to be eight consecutive defeats on the spin.
Thursday represents a massive chance for Alan Matthews’ men, as a win will drag them to within two of the Blues, while defeat will leave UCD with a chance to leapfrog them over the weekend.
While Michael Barker netted the crucial goal against the Midlanders, Philly Hughes, signed from Drogheda in July, will be hoping to re-discover his goal scoring prowess seen under Alan Matthews at Shelbourne. With a leaky defence, the misfiring attack could be the way out of the relegation mire.
Doubts have been cast over Adam Hanlon, Jake Kelly and Shane O’Connor but expect to see them involved in some description in Thomond Park.
Bray have no suspensions ahead of their trip to Munster, but, without injured pair Dave Webster and Shane O’Neill Bray will have their work cut out against a Limerick side looking to clear themselves of relegation talk.
That same talk would appear to follow Bray annually, with a restricted playing budget limiting what the Club can achieve.
Referee: Graham Kelly (Cork)
MATCH STATS
Limerick are the only side in the Division yet to score against Bray.
Stephen Folan has played every minute of every League game game.
Limerick have used 27 players so far this season.
Dean Zambra has played in all but 20 minutes of League action so far, the only Bray player to play in every match.
After going 14 without a win last season, Bray beat Limerick in October
BETTING
Limerick 1/2, Draw 3/1, Bray Wanderers 11/2.
PREDICTION
The Russell renaissance should continue, 2-0.
Limerick FC
Injured: Shane Tracy, Colm Murphy, Joey N’Do
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Bray Wanderers
Injured: Dave Webster, Shane O’Neill
Doubtful: Jake Kelly, Adam Hanlon, Shane O’Connor
Suspended: None.
About Tom Clancy
Introduced to the League of Ireland in 2005, Tom has seen Limerick play at four different grounds down the years. He began writing for Extratime in late 2013 and was delighted to report on the …