League Preview: Limerick FC -v- Bohemians
- Tom Clancy
- Sat, Mar 07 2015
LIMERICK FC
Limerick make a return to Jackman Park this Saturday as they host Bohemians in series one of the SSE Airtricity Premier Division. The Blues will have to wait a bit longer before moving one kilometre to Markets Field, kick-off in the Carey’s Road venue is 6.30pm.
Martin Russell has assembled a young squad, though the timely additions of Aidan Price and Vinny Faherty will mean fans will be more optimistic going into this tie. Price is in-line to face the Club he featured for heavily for in 2014.
The Dubliner will have to plan without his son, Sean (illness) and Colm Murphy (hamstring), while Paul O’Conor has become a doubt for the fixture with a calf problem.
The trio of Gavin Dillion, Sean McSweeney and Paudie O’Connor could make their League of Ireland debuts; all three have featured for the U19s in recent years, with the last two still just 17 years old. All three locals should be in the match day squad.
Russell recognised the importance of positive support when he spoke before the game. “The supporters have got to encourage these young players and understand that they’re doing their best and the experience they’re getting this year is only going to make them better players in the future.”
He went on to tell the Club website; “To make sure that it’s a positive learning experience as opposed to a negative learning experience is the key thing.”
With such change in the Limerick ranks in the past four months it’s difficult to predict if they will hit the ground running in League action.
BOHEMIANS
A change in the hot-seat at Dalymount Park has been coupled with plenty of changes in playing personnel. Keith Long takes charge and even though four key players from 2014 have followed Owen Heary to Sligo, Long can be content with the squad he has assembled.
Jason Byrne is 20 goals short of top spot on the all-time League of Ireland goal scorers chart. The veteran stays on for another season at Dalymount Park, while he netted against the Super Blues in their last meeting.
Bohs have a number of absentees with Stephen Best, James O’Brien and Conor Murphy all carrying suspensions from last season. Re-signing Dave Mulcahy has a calf problem while Derek Pender and Dean Kelly are also marked as doubts.
Keith Long was respectful of Limerick in his pre-match build up, “Playing Limerick away is going to be a tough test for us, and we’re under no illusion about that, but we’re looking forward to it.”
The game will be Limerick’s first at Jackman Park since 2012 when they lost 3-1 to Wexford Youths, having already won the First Division title.
Referee: Graham Kelly
MATCH STATS
Despite winning their first meeting of 2014 at Dalymount, Limerick then lost on three consecutive occasions to Bohs, including in the FAI Ford Cup.
Of the starting XI on the final day of last season against Shamrock Rovers, Limerick can only call upon Ian Turner, Ross Mann and Captain Shane Duggan this weekend.
Bohs last away win came in Limerick (2-1 in July), but the Gypsies are now nine without a win on their travels.
BETTING
Limerick 23/10, Draw 11/5, Bohemians 5/4.
PREDICTION
Limerick 1-1 Bohemians
Limerick FC
Injured: Sean Russell (illness), Colm Murphy (Hamstring).
Doubtful: Paul O’Conor (calf).
Suspended: None.
Bohemians
Injured: Dan Byrne, Dave Mulcahy (calf).
Doubtful: Derek Pender, Dean Kelly.
Suspended: Stephen Best, James O’Brien, Conor Murphy.
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 …