Season Preview 2017 - Limerick

Manager: Martin Russell

Stadium: Markets Field

Players in: Brendan Clarke (St Patrick's Athletic), Ian Turner (Cork City), David O'Connor, Dean Clarke (Shamrock Rovers), Chiedozie Ogbene (Cork City), Rodrigo Tosi (Persija Jakarta), Bastien Hery (Accrington Stanley), Thomas Robson (Sunderland - loan), Thibaut Molinatti (Enskede IK).

Players out: Aaron Greene (Bray Wanderers), Sean Russell (Louisville City), Ross Mann, Shane Lowth (Cobh Ramblers).

Extratime.ie Key Man: Lee-J Lynch

Creative midfielder Lynch is someone who can earn Limerick points in 2017. The former Drogheda United, Sligo Rovers, St. Patricks Athletic man has been impressive with his native Limerick. He caught the neutral's eye in Limerick's 4-1 reverse in the EA Sports Cup final, where he found the net in the opening-half. Linking well with fellow midfielders Shane Duggan and Paul O’Conor gave Limerick plenty of openings last season, when Lynch’s energy and creative talent helped Limerick coast to a second First Division in five seasons.

Having returned to Limerick from Scotland in mid-2015, the midfielder was a key component in his side’s revival in their unsuccessful bid to avoid relegation. Lynch will need to quickly strike up an understanding with the many new additions in Blue if Limerick are to be successful, but fans will know that they’ve a reliable face to call upon in their midfield as they hope to stay well clear of the relegation mire.

Extratime.ie One to Watch: Chiedozie Ogbene

The speedy winger was perhaps the most notable acquisition made by the Super Blues during the winter. While still only 19, Ogbene was highly rated on Leeside and Limerick swooped for his signature. It would appear that the lure of first team football was enough to attract him to Martin Russell’s squad. Having netted in a number of friendlies and in the Munster Senior Cup, it appears that it won’t take Ogbene long to add to his three Premier Division goals so far. Despite the competition on the flanks in Limerick, plenty is expected of a man with less than a dozen competitive outings in his senior career.

How they did last season:

League: First Division champions

Strolling to the title with just under a quarter of the season to spare, Limerick pulverised their opposition, only falling to defeat in their 25^th outing, against Cobh Ramblers. Goals were easy to come by as the full-time set-up on Shannonside clearly benefitted a side reeling from relegation in 2015.

Finding the net an average of four times in the opening round of games emphasised the superiority Limerick had, but lapses in concentration led to just 13 clean sheets, where perhaps more could have been gathered. Score lines of 5-0, 7-2, 6-1, 5-1, and 5-2 didn’t appear out of the ordinary after the opening weeks, as were able to beat the other first division clubs at least twice, with some sides rarely putting a glove near the Blues.

Stephen Kenny and John O’Flynn proved to be shrew acquisitions, as did Aaron Greene, who has since departed. Limerick were unable to blood much young talent, as the experience held by Robbie Williams, Shane Duggan and Paul O’Conor shone through. Sterner tests await in 2016, but Martin Russell can be more than pleased with the style and professionalism with which his side claimed the title.

FAI Cup: 2nd Round (Lost 2-0 v St. Patricks Athletic)

After a facile 5-2 victory over Bluebell United, Limerick met St. Patricks Athletic, where the trip to Richmond Park in August proved to be Limerick's first defeat in national competition in 2016. Second best for much of the tie, Conan Byrne and Christy Fagan scored either side of the break to knock the Blues out.

EA Sports Cup: Runners-Up (Lost 4-1 v St. Patricks Athletic)

Winning the First Division was Limerick’s sole aim at the start of 2016, however the gap they created early on enabled Martin Russell to rest players in League games ahead of EA Sports Cup games. This allowed his side to beat Premier Division opposition, Wexford Youths (4-0), Galway United (2-0) at Markets Field. The semi-final trip to Brandywell saw Stephen Kenny snatch a winner, as in-form Derry were dumped out.

This set up a final with St. Patricks Athletic at Markets Field. A sell-out crowd witnessed Limerick display a wonderful opening half, as Lynch gave them the lead, before Liam Buckley’s side hit four goals to retain the trophy.

What to expect for next season:

When Limerick began the 2013 season following promotion, they had a change of manager, change of ground and a large change in personnel, however, 2017 sees the Blues in a much more stable situation. Martin Russell has been in charge for 75 league games, and the Markets Field feels much more like a home. The new players appear to be suitable additions to a strong squad already in place, making Limerick odds on to avoid the drop.

It’s difficult to judge Limerick’s signings on pre-season outings, though the early signs for Rodrigo Tosi and Ogbene have been extremely positive. Fans are aware of the talent possessed by Ian Turner and Dean Clarke, while losing only two regular first team players bodes well for the continuity of 2016. Despite left-back being a problem in pre-season, Russell appears to have addressed that issue, though Thomas Robson and Thibaut Molinatti have had little time to adjust to their new surroundings.

The squad has much more depth than in 2015, where Limerick struggled to gather any momentum and played much of the season with a threadbare outfit. Substitute benches filled by under-19s appear unlikely, which was often the case in the last few seasons. Going forward, the quality appears as good as ever before, while Limerick have added Brendan Clarke to the squad to compete with Freddy Hall for the number one spot.
 

Limerick should be more than a match for the majority of sides as they aim for a top-half finish, though a tricky opening few weeks sees away trips to face Derry City and Dundalk, after entertaining Sligo Rovers this Friday.

 

Title odds: 33/1

Opening Fixture: Sligo Rovers (home), 24^th February (kick-off 19.45).