FAI Cup Preview: Limerick -v- Dundalk
Credit: Michael P Ryan (ETPhotos)
LIMERICK
Limerick host Dundalk at Market’s Field with a place in the Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup semi-finals available to the winner (kick-off 7.45 pm).
Limerick boss Tommy Barrett wants Limerick to land a knockout blow on double-chasing Dundalk and has asked the people of Limerick to support his charges, as he feels his side ‘deserve it.'
Limerick come into the game off the back of a 1-0 home defeat to Friday night’s opponents in the league.
Michael Duffy netted on 81 minutes to take the win and extend his side’s lead at the top of the table.
Barrett’s charges did well on the night to hold off till the time the goal was scored, showing a resurgent side in their performance but perhaps lacking in match-winning quality to really trouble Stephen Kenny’s Lilywhites on the night.
The 39-year-old manager was disappointed with conceding the goal but was ultimately delighted with the performance that his men gave over the 90 minutes.
“We take a lot of encouragement from Friday,” he told the club's website.
“But Dundalk will come here with a different game-plan this time- they can freshen things up a lot more than us.
“The goal we conceded was a bit scrappy from our point of view, although it was a good finish from Duffy. Overall though, I felt we played very well.
“Our front three. Karl O’Sullivan, Will Fitzgerald and Connor Ellis, did well on the night.
“They are quick lads and are still very young. Hopefully, we can bring the same level of commitment and performance this week.”
Limerick native Barrett, who has overseen positive results against three of the league’s top four, and only failing to do so against tonight’s opponents, is eager to for his men to get more backing.
“We would appreciate any support we can get. I think this team deserves support. I feel we are punching above our weight all year.
“People have to realise and recognise that- these lads are giving 100% every time they play.”
Limerick have reached the quarter-final stage this year by beating amateur club Cockhill Celtic 2-0 up in Donegal in the first round, thanks to second half goals from Killian Brouder and Barry Maguire.
In the next round, Limerick played host to First Division club Cabinteely.
A goal in each half from Connor Ellis and Maguire, meant Cabo’s 90th minute goal through Kevin Knight was just a mere consolation for the Dubliners.
The Super Blues look dead certs for a relegation play-off, so a decent run in the Cup and a potential trip to the Aviva in November could be just the tonic in getting the fans back onside.
Eoin Wearen has suffered a setback and will miss a few more extra weeks with a knee injury.
Killian Cantwell (groin) and Shaun Kelly (foot) remain doubts for the game, but Billy Dennehy should be fit after an illness.
DUNDALK
Dundalk play their fifth game since August 20th when they travel West to Limerick for the second time in a week.
Things were not looking great for Stephen Kenny and co after their surprise home defeat to Shamrock Rovers on August 28th.
They had a chance to stretch their lead their lead over Cork City to six points but lost the game 2-1.
Last week though, it looked like Cork where going to shorten the gap to just a point. The Leesiders were ahead after 65 minutes against the Bit o’Red, while Dundalk were labouring to a 0-0 draw with Friday night’s opponents.
As both games went on though, Sligo turned the game around and won 2-1, while Michael Duffy scored a late winner for the Lilywhites.
This meant the lead changed to six points, with Dundalk also having a healthier goal difference
“It was a brilliant win for us last week,” defender Brian Gartland told the club's website.
“It is that time of the season where you have to grind out wins. We have had five games in fourteen days and no matter who you play that is always a tough game.
“We weren’t at our best in terms of creating chances and that but you have to give Limerick credit for that.
“They played very well. They limited us and were very good at what they did but the win is the main thing.”
The Lilywhites have reached the quarter-final stage by beating two First Division clubs at home- first was a 3-0 win against Cobh Ramblers.
A brace from Ronan Murray and one from Jamie McGrath, who has been called up for the Ireland under-21’s this week, meant revenge was taken after Cobh had knocked them out of the EA Sports Cup at the semi-final stage a few days previous.
In the second round, a goal in each half from Murray and Georgie Kelly, his first for the club since his summer move from UCD, sent Finn Harps out in a 2-0 win and set Dundalk up with a quarter-final appearance.
Gartland is aware that to reach the semi-finals, himself and his teammates will have to be at the top of their game on Shannonside.
“It’s going to be a tough game for us on Friday again. Limerick are a good side as they have shown and will be hungry to get into the Cup semi-final but we are looking to do the same and we want to get back there.
“We know it’s going to be difficult back down there tomorrow but we are looking forward to it and hopefully we can get the win.”
The 2015 Cup champions now have a breather from league action, against a team that they have not conceded against in the last seven meetings.
Referee: Derek Tomney.
MATCH STATS
From the four league meetings this season. Dundalk have a 100% record, scoring 16 goals and conceding none.
Limerick have won the Cup twice in their history, their last win coming in 1982. Dundalk have won the Cup 10 times, their last coming in 2015.
Both sides have met each other 25 times competitively. The Lilywhites have won 15 of those, Limerick have won seven and there have been three draws.
In those previous 25 games, there has been an average of 3.2 goals per game.
Limerick have not beaten Dundalk in eight attempts, since June 2015. The Blues have not scored in the last seven and conceded 26 in that time.
This is the host’s first FAI Cup quarter-final at Market’s Field since 1984 when they lost 1-0 to Shamrock Rovers. It is their first home quarter-final appearance since 1994.
Dundalk played in another cup competition on Monday night at the semi-final stage. Their young side lost 1-0 in extra-time to St Patrick’s Athletic in the Leinster Senior Cup, thanks to Kevin Toner’s free-kick.
BETTING
Limerick 9/1; Draw 5/1; Dundalk 1/6
PREDICTION
Limerick 0-3 Dundalk
Limerick
Injured: Eoin Wearen (knee).
Doubtful: Killian Cantwell (groin), Shaun Kelly (foot).
Suspended: None.
Dundalk
Injured: Stephen O’Donnell (broken leg), Karolis Chvedukas (ankle).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Unavailable: Jamie McGrath (international call-up).
