Russell - "It's a massive game"

Limerick manager Martin Russell is relishing a “massive game” against Cork City on Sunday evening, kick-off 5.30pm, with the boss unconcerned by their Munster rivals’ title aspirations.

The Superblues come into the game on the back of a 16-day break but in confident mood having seen off UCD as they extended their unbeaten record in Dublin this season to six games.

Rory Gaffney’s brace, which took him into double figures in the Premier Division this term, and on-loan winger Ian Turner ensured victory against the Students.

And now Limerick will look to bounce back to winning form at home, where they have suffered losses on their last two outings.

Russell is aware of second-placed Cork’s fine form this season, which sees them chasing long-time pacesetters Dundalk in the final stages of the race to be champions. But the boss is only concentrating on his own players’ performances.

“It’s a massive game – it’s one that you look forward to,” Russell told LimerickFC.ie.

“We want to do the best that we can to get a result for Limerick Football Club and if that stops Cork in their tracks then so be it.

“We understand that Cork have done very well this season and they are still in with a real chance of winning the league – all credit to them. But we’ll be doing our utmost to finish the season strongly.”

Limerick will look to move back into seventh place, which is now occupied by Bohemians following their scoreless draw at Athlone Town on Friday night.

Cork, meanwhile, will hope to close back to within three points of leaders and title favourites Dundalk, who are not in league action this weekend.
 

The Shannonsiders had recorded impressive 4-1 wins over both Shamrock Rovers and Bray Wanderers in Russell’s first two home outings, but in their last two tests at Thomond Park they have been disappointingly beaten by Derry City and Drogheda United.
 

Either side of those losses, they have hit fine wins at reigning champions Saint Patrick’s Athletic and UCD.
 

Cork come into the game on the back of a late 1-0 win over Shamrock Rovers at Turner’s Cross two weeks ago, thanks to Dan Murray’s late goal.
 

Prior to that, they had drawn 2-2 at Athlone having exited the Cup to Bohemians, who also conquered Limerick in the same competition back in June.
 

On the road in the league, the Leesiders have only tasted defeat once in their last eight games – going back to their visit to Limerick in May – and that was at Bohemians on 25 July, going down 2-0.