Barrett - It's going to be a bonus if we win

Limerick Under-19 manager Tommy Barrett knows there is little room for error in the short season but he insists that “it is going to be a bonus if we win”, with more changes expected for Wednesday’s visit of Waterford United to Hogan Park (kick-off 6.30pm).

The young Shannonsiders opened their National League campaign with a convincing 3-1 win at Cobh Ramblers on Sunday, a result made more impressive after Cobh secured a late draw at Cork City on Tuesday night.

Waterford are the middle leg of a busy seven days for Barrett’s men, who also entertain Wexford Youths at the weekend. And in a 12-game division, the boss knows they must have a strong start to help realise their Knockout Phase ambitions.

“It’s a busy week but it’s great to get games in. Hopefully, we can put in a performance against Waterford and then we’ll look to Wexford,” Barrett told LimerickFC.ie.

“If you’re talking from a league point of view, I think it’s important to win these games. But, again, it’s difficult. There are no easy games, and I suppose the way we do it as well making changes – we’re looking to develop the players.

“We’re not going to change anything there. I keep saying it – it’s going to be a bonus if we win. Obviously, we want to win but it’s about performance as well.

“We had a full complement in training on Tuesday evening, so I’m happy enough with how training went and hopefully we can bring it into the game.

“We’ll make a few changes again. We have a good squad and we want to use it. I think most weeks we’ll make changes and this will be no different.

“Hogan Park is a great venue. I always liked it even when we played here years ago with the Limerick senior team. It can be a difficult place to come. The pitch is in great nick at the moment; it’s the best I’ve seen it in years so hopefully we can play a good brand of football on it.”

Limerick pipped Waterford to the Southern Elite Division title on the final day of last season, in late March, but the RSC club opened this campaign with a 4-1 defeat by Bray Wanderers at home. Still, Barrett expects a difficult test.

“Waterford took more points off us than we took off them last season,” Tommy noted. “We beat everybody else. They’re always difficult. They’re always very well organised and they always have good players down there.

“You could see that two weeks ago when they beat our Under-17s, because we have a strong 17s team, and for Waterford to beat them comprehensively they must be producing good players.”

Barrett will be without 18-year-old defender Paudie O’Connor, who will travel to Drogheda United with the first team on Friday. The boss also admitted second-choice ‘keeper Arkadiusz ‘Arek’ Mamala has been “unlucky” not to see more action, behind impressive No1 Tommy Holland.

“Paudie will be missing but that’s great because he’s in with a shout on Friday,” Tommy explained, “and obviously Tommy is heavily involved as well with the first team, so we’ll have a look at that. I’ll have a chat with Martin (Russell).
 

“Arek is unlucky. He’s a very good goalkeeper, but Tommy has really come on and excelled. He has done very well in with the first team. We’ll try to get Arek in when we can. Tommy needs game-time at the moment because Freddy (Hall) is in there and it’s good to keep the reserve ‘keeper ticking over.
 

“But we have plenty of options and plenty of availability, so hopefully we can get a result.”

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