League Preview: St Pats -v- Limerick

• Josh Dolan
• Sat, Mar 22 2014




ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

The Saints go into Saturday’s game against Limerick looking to maintain their unbeaten start to The 2014 campaign.

 

Saint’s boss Liam Buckley acknowledges that The Saints performance against The Students was under par, however Buckley admits that the squad were over the moon with the result.

 

“Limerick are a good side, and Stuart Taylor will have them well prepared. We were disappointed with our performance last week against UCD, but delighted with the result. We know we have to improve on last week, as Limerick will cause us problems otherwise,” Buckley told stpatsfc.com.

 

Saints duo Killian Brennan and Sean Hoare are set to return to Buckley’s ranks after respective injuries and The Saints boss is understandably delighted to have them back.

 

“We’re happy this week as both Killian and Sean have returned to training, so having them back involved with the first team will be a great help to us,” Buckley explained.

 

Ireland international Keith Fahey is also back in contention after the injury he picked up against The Students last time out transpired to be less severe than first feared.

 

New Saint, Lee Lynch faces his City of birth on Saturday afternoon and he is very much looking forward to hosting Limerick on Saturday afternoon.

 

“I experienced it three times last year with Sligo Rovers and all of them were good experiences,” Lynch recalled.

 

Lynch has had a mix start to the season after scoring The Saints equaliser in Cork, before being substituted against UCD last week, but the 22 year old insists that whether he starts or comes on, he will do his utmost to impact and attempt to win the game for The Saints on Saturday afternoon.

 

“With Killian being injured, I got my chance and I thought I took it well. But at the end of the day, whether I start or I am coming off the bench, I’m going to give my all for the team. Hopefully we can get the win on Saturday.”

 

LIMERICK FC

The Shannonsiders go into Saturday’s game against St Pat’s on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Dundalk at Oriel Park last weekend. That result leaves The Super blues with just one point from 3 outings.

 

Limerick boss, Stuart Taylor admits that the game will prove a tough task for his charges, but insists that the pressure is on St Pat’s as the hosts.

 

“It’s going to be a very difficult game, St. Pat’s are one of the top teams in the league; they won the league last year. There is a lot of pressure on them, especially being at home. The limerick boss suggested

 

Despite recent results Taylor insists that his charges are very much looking forward to taking advantage of The glorious Richmond Park pitch, as well as the game itself.

 

“It’s a fantastic surface, which we’re looking forward to going on and passing the ball.

 

We’re looking forward to the game,” Taylor explained.

 

The Blues captain, Shane Duggan returns to Taylor’s squad after suspension and Taylor is delighted to the return of his skipper to the squad and he’s confident that his skipper will add some valuable experience to the young Limerick Squad.

 

“Shane Duggan comes back in. He brings a good bit of experience into the midfield. He also brings energy, knowledge and he’ll certainly get on the ball and pass it. And he’s got goals in him as well.”

 

Referee: Tomas Connolly

 

 

MATCH STATS

St Pat’s were the only team Limerick failed to register a goal against in last season’s League Campaign.

 

St Pat’s beat Limerick 3-0 in the side’s last meeting at Richmond Park.

 

Limerick conceded 30 goals in the league last season, more than any other side in the top seven.

 

BETTING

St Patrick’s Athletic 1/3 Draw 7/2 Limerick 8/1

 

PREDICTION

St Pat’s to improve on last week’s display and beat Limerick 3-1.

 

 

St Patrick’s Athletic:

Injured: None.
Suspended: None.

 

Limerick:

Injured: None.
Doubtful: Colm Murphy (Hamstring), Tony Whitehead (Hamstring).
Suspended:  None.