19.45 23 May 2014 -
Referee: Paul Tuite
League Preview: Limerick -v- St. Patrick's Athletic
- Tom Clancy
- Fri, May 23 2014
LIMERICK FC
It has been four weeks to forget for The Super Blues, with the hosts without a win since mid-April in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division. In fact, only one point from fifteen and two from eighteen makes for grim viewing for those in Blue. The loss of Craig Curran continues to be discussed in the mid-west, but the need for another striker was apparent from the opening night.
Stuart Taylor is likely to be without full-backs Shane Costelloe and Robbie Williams, the latter limping out of Tuesdays defeat to Cork City early on. Limerick will once again call upon Barry Ryan, Stephen Folan and Samuel Oji for big displays, with all-three proving to be key players when Limerick have managed to get points from games. Rory Gaffney will once again lead the line while the increasing fitness of Danny Galbraith could force the best out of St Pats' full back Ian Bermingham.
It’s difficult to see how Limerick will upset the Champions, with lowly crowds and an air of gloom around the team, some magic is needed from somewhere. Shane Tracy laid on a wonderful cross for Limerick’s sole goal on Tuesday, while Shane Duggan was within inches of leveling late on. An optimist will point to the narrow margin of many of Limericks defeats, with the Blues also coming close to upsetting Shamrock Rovers recently.
ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC
The Champions slipped down to fourth place on Tuesday night, despite not playing. Liam Buckley was left to rue two points dropped in Belfield on Friday night which should have them extremely focused on getting all three from Thomond Park this weekend. The iconic venue saw the Saints win 1-0 and tie 0-0 with Limerick last season, but a late James McGrath goal denied them the win when the two sides met at Richmond Park in March. Thankfully for those following Cummann Peile Lúthcleas Phádraig Naofa, they have no suspensions and Ken Oman and Mark Quigley have returned to competitive action.
The pair featured in Tuesdays Leinster Senior Cup win over Shamrock Rovers but this tie comes too soon for Derek Foran who misses out. Liam Buckley remarked that: “The lads were a bit unlucky last week against UCD so the aim will be to bounce back on Friday. To do that though we know we’ll have to up the performance level a bit, so the preparation for Friday is all about getting that right, and if we do that, we’ll hopefully be ok.”
Key to the cause will be Keith Fahey who missed the first fixture between the sides, while Pats striker Christy Fagan has scored as many League goals as the entire Limerick squad, 9.
Referee: Paul Tuite
MATCH STATS
9 July 2013 – was the last time Limerick scored more than two goals in a League game, drawing 4-4 with Bray Wanderers.
Barry Ryan and Daryl Kavanagh are likely to face their former Clubs.
BETTING
Limerick 13/2; Draw 3/1; St Pats 4/9.
PREDICTION
Limerick 0-2 St. Patrick’s Athletic
Limerick FC
Injured: Shane Costelloe (back)
Doubtful: Robbie Williams (hamstring)
Suspended: None.
St Patrick's Ath
Injured: Derek Foran (knee)
Doubtful: None.
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 …