19.45 24 Mar 2015 -
Referee: Ray Matthews
League Preview: Drogheda United -v- Limerick
- Tom Clancy
- Tue, Mar 24 2015
DROGHEDA UNITED
Drogheda United play host to Limerick at United Park on Tuesday night, with kick-off in a delicately poised tie set for 7.45pm.
The absence of Daryl Kavanagh seemed to be a major factor in United going down 1-0 in Galway on Friday, as they struggled to take advantage of having an extra man. Enda Currans early strike put an end to their 100% record in league action.
Kavanagh missed the game with the flu and having hit the net in his first two games, Drogs fans will be hoping he returns to the side tonight.
Cathal Brady (hip), Alan Byrne (quad) and Mick Daly (calf) are also doubts for the Boyneside Club.
Johnny McDonnell will be hoping for a similar result to the one they managed against Sligo Rovers in their last home game. Despite being second best for long periods, the Louth side came from behind to win 3-2.
Much like their opponents, they have reduced their budget this season and have promoted a number of players from their underage set-up to the senior squad.
Eight home defeats last term, including a 4-1 loss to Limerick, prevented a top-half finish but McDonnell will see Limerick as the ideal opportunity to make it two-from-two at United Park.
LIMERICK
An entertaining draw on Saturday will have Limerick in positive mood heading up the M7 and M1, though they may also feel that it was two points dropped having twice taken the lead against Longford Town.
Martin Russell has close to a full strength squad available, with Shane Duggan remaining out through suspension. Meanwhile Colm Murphy is likely to miss out with his hamstring problem once again, though he has returned to training.
Full-back Sean Harding is marked as doubtful.
The manager’s son, Sean Russell, impressed on Saturday night and helped himself to a rare brace of goals against his former Club. Having been deployed at left-midfield, Russell gave Limerick a lift, as did Jason Hughes, neither of the pair were involved in the sides opening two games of the season.
Russell will be unlikely to make changes, though Vinny Faherty will be hoping for a start having been brought on at half-time for Darragh Rainsford last time out. Like fellow striker Dean Clarke, Faherty has yet to find the net in League action for Limerick.
Referee: Ray Matthews
MATCH STATS
Limerick have played 13 away league games without a draw, stretching back to last May when they drew with Shamrock Rovers.
Sean Russell had scored four times in 68 SSE Airtricity League matches before netting twice on his first league game for the Blues.
Paul O'Conor and Daryl Kavanagh could face their former sides tonight.
BETTING
Drogheda United 8/11; Draw 5/2; Limerick 4/1.
PREDICTION
Drogheda United 2-2 Limerick
Drogheda United
Injured: None
Doubtful: Daryl Kavanagh (illness), Cathal Brady (hip), Alan Byrne (quad) and Mick Daly (calf)
Suspended: None
Limerick
Injured: None
Doubtful: Sean Harding, Colm Murphy
Suspended: Shane Duggan
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 …