19.45 2 May 2015 -
Referee: Paul McLaughlin
League Preview: Sligo Rovers -v- Limerick
- Gareth O'Reilly
- Sat, May 02 2015
SLIGO ROVERS
Sligo take on Martin Russell’s Limerick side for the first time in the 2015 Premier Division on Saturday night as the first round of fixtures draws to a close over the bank holiday weekend. Kick off at the Showgrounds is set for 7.45pm.
Sligo, similarly to Limerick, have not had the start that they would have hoped for, with a 3-0 loss to St. Pat’s last Friday night showing just how far they have fallen from their glory days of just a few years ago.
Gavin Peers returned to light training during the week with the Bit o’Red but his diagnosis is that he is ruled out of this fixture. Jeff Henderson is the only other man set to join Peers in the treatment room for the time being, with the club saying that they expect the defender to be out for another six weeks.
In better news, Eoin Wearen and Kevin Devaney have both overcome recent viruses that struck the pair down recently.
Former Bohs boss Owen Heary is remaining positive despite his Sligo side only recording the one solitary victory in their opening ten league outings.
“We have worked hard during the week on a lot of different stuff,” said Heary. “We will have to take some lessons from last week’s game into tomorrow and will be aiming for a much-improved and more positive performance.
“We are helped by having John Russell back with his experience and Kevin Devaney as well. We have a lot of players back and there is only really Peers out, with Jeff being out long-term. So it will be good to have more bodies available which is a positive.”
All season Sligo have struggled to score goals, with just eight goals being converted in their opening ten fixtures.
“We have got the defensive side of things right which was not good enough previously. But we have been working on both the offensive and the defensive side of things this week.”
In concluding his pre-game thoughts Heary noted the similarity between his own side’s troubles and Limerick’s struggles over the past two months.
“Limerick have been a bit like ourselves this season. They have conceded goals at times which have stopped them from getting results.
"I have watched the video from the last couple of games, the created a lot of chances against Derry and should have got level but then they conceded the second and also against Shams they should have went two up before they got that late equaliser.”
LIMERICK
Martin Russell has understandably cut a frustrated individual on the sideline in recent weeks with the former UCD boss seeing his side concede an SSE Airtricity League worst, 24 goals.
The 48 year old is long enough in management to know that there is a long way to go in the season and therefore he is confident that the Blues fortunes will be turned around in the near future.
With the Shannonsiders yet to win a league game this season, Russell is under no Illusions as to the challenges that a trip to Sligo presents for his squad.
“I think, like us, they may feel that they should have more points on the board than their play deserved. We know it’s not going to be an easy game going to The Showgrounds.”
With a late equaliser for Shamrock Rovers last week, the former Manchester United academy player is of the opinion that his side are heading in the right direction and that those precious three points will be picked up in the very near future.
“It was a rip-roaring game in many ways,” Martin explained when asked to comment on the draw secured against Pat Fenlon’s team.
“It was quite a heroic effort from our group. We were trying to defend our lead, Rovers were throwing everything at us and we needed to get over the line.”
Limerick have a fully fit squad heading into this game with Robbie Williams rejoining his teammates in training this week. The Munster based side are also without any suspension worries.
Referee: Paul McLaughlin
MATCH FACTS
Sligo have not lost a home game to Limerick since 1991.
There has only been one red card recorded between these two sides when they have squared off in Premier Division action.
The last draw in this fixture occurred in May 2013. It was a scoreless draw in Limerick.
BETTING
Sligo Rovers 2/5; Draw 16/5; Limerick 15/2.
PREDICTION
Sligo Rovers 1 – 1 Limerick.
Sligo Rovers
Injured: Jeff Henderson (foot), Gavin Peers (groin).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Limerick
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
About Gareth O'Reilly
Gareth is the Editor of Extratime.ie. Gareth began as a normal reporter covering games all over Dublin before being asked to help out with behind the scene activities and eventually moving into the role of …