19.30 23 May 2015 -
Referee:
League Preview: Longford Town -v- Limerick
- Dave Donnelly
- Sat, May 23 2015
LONGFORD TOWN
Longford Town have slipped down the table in recent weeks following successive defeats to Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers, but will climb back into the top half of the table with victory at home to Limerick at City Calling Stadium (kick-off: 7.45pm).
Tony Cousins' side were disappointed not to take at least a point from their trip to Tallaght last week, where they scored two goals and were the wrong side of a contentious penalty decision that saw Cousins sent to the stands for his protests.
Longford have concerns over defenders Mark Rossiter and Pat Flynn, who picked up knocks against Rovers, while striker Don Cowan faces another spell on the sidelines after a brief cameo against Dundalk.
LIMERICK
Limerick remain rooted to the bottom of the table without a win as they arrive in Longford and, even at this early stage, this is taking on the look of a pivotal game lest they lose touch with Bray Wanderers, who are six points ahead above them.
Martin Russell told Extratime.ie recently that his team aren't far away from clicking, saying “it only takes a couple of wins and we're in the middle of the league.” In the short period since – which has seen his side narrowly beaten by rivals Cork – the gap has lengthened to the point where a couple of wins might not even lift them off the bottom.
Russell can at least take heart from the performance that earned Limerick their first point of the season when Longford visited Jackman Park in March, but he'll know a point is the minimum requirement today to keep within touching distance of the teams above them.
Referee: David McKeon.
MATCH STATS
Longford Town and Limerick last met in 2013 in the First Division, when they faced one another on four occasions in the league.
Longford won the first meeting in Jackman Park 2-1, while Limerick posted 2-0 scorelines in Longford either side of a goalless draw in Limerick.
BETTING
Longford Town 4/7; Draw 11/4; Limerick 5/1.
PREDICTION
Longford Town 1 – 1 Limerick
Longford Town
Injured: Don Cowan.
Doubtful: Pat Flynn, Mark Rossiter.
Suspended: None.
Limerick
Injured: Unknown.
Doubtful: Unknown.
Suspended: None.