We should have got the three points - Tommy Barrett

By Tom Clancy reporting from Market's Field

Limerick boss Tommy Barrett spoke following his sides 1-1 draw with Munster rivals Cork City. The Blues have now five points from three outings at Market's Field, and lie in sixth place with eight points in total. Having lost three of their four clashes with the Rebels in 2017, Limerick were able to deny Cork back-to-back victories with an impressive display.

Barrett will have been buoyed by his sides defensive display, following a 5-0 thrashing in Derry on Monday night, but his side also impressed going forward. Few, even John Caulfield, could argue that Limerick deserved a point, while Barrett felt his side could have taken all three.

“I think we could have won it, we probably should have won it. They had a few scrambles in our box, but on the creation of chances we probably had the better ones. For the penalty Darren (Dennehy) said Cummins pulled him into him and fell over. They were hitting deck – probably more clever than us. We weren’t doing that and I don’t like my team to be doing that to be honest. It’s probably the way the game is gone – you have to go down to get a free-kick.”

Despite conceding 13 goals in their last two away games, Limerick have been impressive at home, and the former U19 manager has no doubt in the fight his side possess.

“I think we’re a good team. With the players out injured today it shows the squad can battle and dig in. Obviously it’s tough, but the boys who’ve come in have done very well. We’ve finished the game with two under-19’s which is always a positive.”

Karl O’Sullivan made his senior debut from the bench during the second half, with fellow U19 and exciting winger William Fitzgerald featuring more frequently this season. Their progression has seemed natural under Barrett, who believes his club have a strong academy.

“We don’t blow our own trumpet – other clubs probably do it when they talk about their academy players. But we do it, we bring them through. There are players in this region; I said it when I was the under 19 manager. The lads have a lot to learn, particularly on the defensive side of things. The lads have done well, I think people will be surprised with William’s long throw – he has that in the locker and Karl danced through a few of them and probably should have scored. He hit it down the middle and probably should have sent it to his right hand side. Karl is a very good player.”

Billy Dennehy, who played for Cork during the 2009, 2015 and 2016 seasons, broke the deadlock with a thunderbolt of an effort. The Tralee man, normally a winger, played left-back, to match the pace of Karl Sheppard, but it was Dennehy who showed his attacking quality, “It was a fantastic goal, and I keep saying it about Billy, he has got great character and he’s a leader. He showed it tonight, he’s very vocal with the young lads tonight and it was a great goal.  He’s a fit man, he really looks after himself.

“I think we are still trying to develop and find leaders in the group, we’re still forming. It’s very much a new team, it’s going to take time for the team to form. We haven’t done team bonding (yet).
“Personally I think we should have got the three points, they were probably cleverer than us. But we’re happy with the point.”

With Shamrock Rovers visiting Market’s Field on Monday, Limerick look set to be without a number of players. “Danny Kearns and Danny Morrissey came off with injuries, so we’re without five for Monday. It leaves us with a very young starting team but the lads have to learn somewhere.”

Kearns and Morrissey look likely to join Eoin Wearen, Barry Maguire and Mark O’Sullivan on the treatment table. Tommy Barrett himself is a former Shamrock Rovers player having spent the first half of 2007 with the Hoops as a player under Pat Scully.