19.45 11 Jul 2014 -
Referee: Sean Grant
League Preview: Athlone Town -v- Limerick FC
- Tom Clancy
- Fri, Jul 11 2014
ATHLONE TOWN
Despite a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Derry City last Sunday, Town can go into Fridays game in the knowledge that a win will put them within striking distance of UCD in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division table. The hosts will also be encouraged by the fact that seven of their eight League points have been won at Athlone Town Stadium.
Keith Long has no suspensions to worry about as his men go in search in a third home win in four League games. But Aidan Collins, an integral part of last season’s promotion, looks set to be side-lined until the end of August with a knee problem.
Meanwhile, attacker Graham Rusk looks to be over his injury problem, having played 80 minutes last Sunday. His inclusion would represent a timely boost to a Club who, together with Limerick, have one of the poorest goal-scoring records in the Division.
There were no fresh injury problems reported for Athlone, whose attendances haven’t reached anywhere near the 1,700 seen in Westmeath in their first League game.
LIMERICK FC
Tommy Barrett takes the managerial reins against his former employers on Friday night, after Limerick parted company with Scot Stuart Taylor earlier in the week. Barrett enjoyed an interesting career, where he played for Shamrock Rovers and Athlone Town while also playing for the Super Blues at various times during his career. Barrett, now 35, retired from the game with a persisting knee problem which restricted his involvement in his latter years.
Barrett will have to be content without fans’ favourite Shane Tracy, while Shaun Kelly should be side-lined once again. Defensive stalwart Sam Oji has a shoulder problem but is likely to feature.
Youngsters James McGrath and Darragh Rainsford are major doubts as the pair have illness to contend with. Other than that Barrett will have a full squad to choose from, as Limerick go in search of their first win since returning from the mid-season break. Included in the side will be Cork City loanee, Ian Turner, who looked eager but lacking in match fitness during the disappointing defeat at the hands of Bohemians last Friday
The game presents an opportunity for Limerick to climb as high as sixth in the Premier Division table, while defeat could see them just three points away from eleventh placed UCD should the Students beat Sligo on Sunday.
Referee: Sean Grant
MATCH STATS
Athlone midfielder Sean Brennan saved a Shane Tracy penalty in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.
Limerick have won each of the last 11 games between the sides, including a 2-1 victory in April.
Stephen Folan has played in 49 of the 51 games that Limerick have played since returning to the top flight.
BETTING
Athlone Town 17/10, Draw 12/5, Limerick 6/4.
PREDICTION
A change of manager might mean a change in fortunes for the Blues, Athlone 1-2 Limerick.
Athlone Town
Injured: Unavailable
Doubtful: Unavailable
Suspended: None
Limerick FC
Injured: Shane Tracy, Shaun Kelly
Doubtful: Barry Ryan, James McGrath, Darragh Rainsford, Sam Oji
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 …