Russell Eyes "Even More Competitive Limerick" In 2015

Limerick manager Martin Russell is preparing for a busy close-season where he hopes to assemble an “even more competitive” team ahead of the 2015 kick-off.

The Superblues have rattled off three straight wins to enjoy a positive end to the campaign, signing off from Thomond Park with a 1-0 victory over Sligo Rovers last Friday night.

At half-time in that match, Chairman Pat O’Sullivan revealed the club’s hope to be back in their spiritual home of the Markets Field when next March rolls around.

That will create a new buzz around the city and Russell is hoping to put together a squad to match the off-field positivity, having impressed in his opening months at the helm.

In the last round of matches to date, Limerick have collected 18 points from the 30 on offer, just one less than Dundalk – who could be crowned champions this weekend – in the same period.

That has catapulted them back into the top half – where they have not finished in the top flight since the split season of 1993 – and they could yet claim fifth, if they overcome Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium on Friday, kick-off 7.45pm.

“If you look at the stats and you come out with those sorts of figures, I think it has been a decent return,” Russell told LimerickFC.ie, with the 47-year-old 13 games into his reign.

“If we had carried that all the way through the season, we’d probably be quite high in the league. That has been good and we’ll try to finish off in the right manner against Shamrock Rovers.

“We’ve managed to win a fair few games since I’ve come in and we’ve got a chance of finishing fifth, which would be great if that happens.

“But we’re going to a formidable team in Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght and it’s going to require a good, strong performance to come out with the win.

“The off-season is a busy period where squads are formed and you’re looking to get the right individuals to come into the group.

“There is plenty of work there. The idea is to have an even more competitive Limerick side starting next term.”

Limerick make the trip to Dublin without suspended top scorer Rory Gaffney, who has netted 16 of their 46 competitive goals this term, including 11 in his last 12 league appearances. He has also netted in both encounters with the Hoops this term.

“Rory has been the man in form in terms of getting goals,” the boss acknowledged, with the Tuam native last Friday named Player of the Year. “We’ve been relying on that quite a bit so that’s obviously going to be a disadvantage not to have him in the shake-up.

“But again, I think the way we go and the ones that get the chance will perform well. I’ve got a couple of ideas and we’ll work on it in the next couple of sessions before the game.

“There are a couple of ways we can go and that will be worked on during the week.”

Reflecting on last weekend’s win over Sligo, Russell added: “To finish the last home game with a win was pleasing. I think we created enough chances to deserve the victory.

“At the end, Rory got a couple of one-on-ones with the ‘keeper and we should have been another goal or two to the good. But 1-0 against a Sligo team that came into the game on reasonable form is a good victory.”

The next closest to Gaffney in the scoring charts for Limerick are captain Shane Duggan, midfielder Shane Tracy and striker Tam McManus, the trio on four goals, three of which have come in the Premier Division.

This weekend, Limerick are chasing their highest placing in the top tier since finishing third in 1988/89. They require a victory while Sligo would also have to lose at home to Cup finalists Saint Patrick’s Athletic.