Tommy Barrett: 'Hopefully we can score in the 90th minute some time'

A header from Eoghan Stokes with just seconds of normal time remaining denied Limerick their second win of the season at home to Bohemians on Saturday. 

However manager Tommy Barrett was content with his side’s 1-1 draw and optimistic ahead of a tricky trip to Dundalk on Tuesday evening.

The game was a rather forgettable affair, with Limerick scoring with their first effort on goal, just shy of the hour mark.

This was, in part, due to the poor surface witnessed at the Markets Field. Barrett felt wasn’t an excuse, and was accepting of a share of the spoils.

“It was probably a fair result,” he said after the game.

“First half they were better, second half we were better. If Mark O’Sullivan scores the second, it’s game over.

“I didn’t feel they [Bohemians] looked like scoring in the second half. We looked more dangerous on the break I felt. These things happen and we move on.”

The home support felt that there was an offside in the build up to the equaliser, however Barrett felt his players need to do more to avoid the situation.

“Its difficult to see, but I saw a clip on the video and its tight. You don’t give referees or linesmen an opportunity – everybody gets out. We’re not going to have excuses.

“Hopefully we can score in the 90^th minute some time. We’ve only a short break for Tuesday – football moves on.”

Cian Coleman marked his home debut with his first goal for Limerick, and Barrett was pleased with the quality of the goal on the counterattack.

“It was a decent goal, and they’re decent players. We didn’t play as much as we’d have liked due to the pitch. We’ve good technical players – we look forward to Tuesday night. “

A major talking point surrounding the game was the quality of the surface at the Garryowen venue.

“I don’t think the tightness of the pitch worked against us. It was the surface. We’re playing inverted wingers and I only took it in a meter or two [the length and width of the pitch].

“We don’t have Ogbene  this year so we don’t have that pace out wide, but we do have the real technical players out wide, so I think that it suits us.

“It’s difficult to play when the surface is that bad. We had a terrible winter and the LEDP are going to get on it now. We’re looking to get it better in the next few weeks – but again no excuses.

“The crowd will be satisfied with the effort. The performance? Probably not. I don’t think it was a good game of football, it was scrappy.

“People will see the effort we put in and that we’re only going to get better. It’s about results, it we get results we can play a bit more.”

Goalless Dundalk welcome Limerick to Oriel Park on Tuesday. Despite losing all three clashes to Dundalk in 2017, Barrett is optimistic that the current crop of Super Blues can get a result.

“It’s a game of football. We’ll go and try win it and if we can’t we’ll get a result. We’ve three games in a week, so we’ll have to look at.

“The younger players we have we won’t be afraid to use them. Obviously we don’t want to be using six or seven of them at one time, but if we have to put in one or two then sure.”

“You can play on the astro-turf, you can play on the floor, its not bobbling all over the place. We’ll play for sure.

“Dundalk are a very good side. They probably haven’t clicked yet – we hope they don’t click on Tuesday night.”