Injury free Tracy relishing return to action

Re-signed Limerick FC midfielder Shane Tracy says he is “looking forward to making up for lost time” having missed the last three months of the 2013 campaign with a knee injury.

The 25-year-old had started all 26 competitive games for the Superblues last term – scoring six goals – before a knee injury sustained in the home game against Derry City in July cut short his season.

But after penning a fresh deal, Tracy – who has been back at Limerick since April 2009 – says he is relishing a return to action, having trained with the squad since the start of pre-season.

“I’m very happy to sign back,” Tracy told LimerickFC.ie. “It was frustrating towards the end of last year getting injured so I’m looking forward to the new season after getting signed up.

“I’ve always been in conversation (with Stuart Taylor); it’s just ironing up bits and pieces and what it comes down to. I’m delighted to be back at the club again for another season.

“I came back at the start of pre-season and the training has been tough, but that’s what I expected. It’s all structured and they’re not killing us or anything.

“It will put us in good stead. You need that base going into the season. It’s vital that you get a good pre-season.

“It was very frustrating (being injured). It’s the second time I’ve missed a spell in my career with the knee. It’s part and parcel of football. At the end of the day, it was only three months. I was kind of lucky in a sense; it could always be worse.

“I got my head down and concentrated on getting myself right for the start of this season.

“I’m raring to get going. I’m looking forward to making up for lost time. I was having a good season at the club last year and we were all going well at the club. It was very enjoyable being back in the Premier Division again. I’m looking forward to getting going again.
 

“The Gaffer brought in a lot of players last year and a lot of them have been retained. He has added a couple of players because a few have gone and we’re getting to know them now.
 

“Hopefully, more can be added and we can really bolster our squad going into the new season.

“It’s a great bunch of lads here so the new lads were always going to be welcomed. Duggy (Shane Duggan) is a Limerick lad as it is so it won’t take him long to settle in. It’s the same with Mick (Leahy) – they’re two good lads and I’ve no doubt they’ll settle in well to the way the Gaffer wants to go about things and it will be a good season for them.”

Limerick’s first friendly is scheduled for this weekend, with details to be confirmed on Tuesday, and Tracy stated: “I’m looking forward to it. It has been a few months since I’ve had a game of football. I’ve been enjoying training so I’m really looking forward to the game as well.”