End of Season Report Card 2018 - Limerick

Team: Limerick

Manager: Tommy Barrett

Top Scorer: Danny Morrissey (5 league), Barry Maguire (6 all competitions)

Goals were extremely hard to come by, even harder than points. Limerick scored just 25 league goals all season as they secured just 27 points. Danny Morrissey notched five times in league action, including two wonderful finishes against Shamrock Rovers and Cork City. Limerick won three of the four games in which the former Finn Harps attacker scored. 

Maguire did prove a decent acquisition, the Dutchman was a regular threat in front of goal, notching away from home in wins against Waterford and Bray, while also getting goals at home to Bohemians and the Seagulls. Playing in the ‘number 10’ role, Maguire’s touches around the penalty area were a joy to watch, at times. 

Stadium: Markets Field 

Highest Attendance: 2,225 (Limerick 1-1 Bohemians)

While this figure was surpassed in the play-off clash in early November, the 2,250 against Bohemians was the largest official figure for a regular league game. Following an opening day win in Sligo, and minor sense of optimism was seen as Bohs arrived. The game finished 1-1, a last minute goal from Eoghan Stokes denying Limerick a perfect start, where Cian Coleman had scrambled home an opener.

The estimated figure for the promotion/relegation clash with Finn Harps was 3,250, proving that there is occasional support for the club, even when times are hard. 

Lowest Attendance: 450 (Limerick 0-4 St Patrick’s Athletic)

Unfortunately, this is once again an estimated figure. The number of estimates grew as the season went on and its likely that the lowest attendance could have been a number of games.

Limerick did play out a significant amount of their games in front of less than a thousand  spectators and against the Saints, its believed that only 450 came through the turnstiles for this October fixture, which was the Blues last normal home tie of the season.

This came during a period of limbo for Limerick, who were cemented in ninth and awaiting a first division opponent in the play-off. A dismal home record saw the Blues pick up just four wins in all competitions at the Garryowen venue. 

Star Player: Kilian Cantwell

With any club relegated it is difficult to pick out a star player. Given Limerick lost a chunk of their side during the season, the players who stood out were at a premium. That said, the versatile Cantwell, who started the season in midfield before migrating his way around the Blues defence was impressive.

His composure on the ball and his ability to read danger showed that his late signature was a good one. His absence during the season through injury perhaps increased his stock. It will be interesting to see will any premier division outfits look for his services during the winter. 

Best Young Player: Karl O’Sullivan

A native of Glin in county Limerick, O’Sullivan found himself in at the deep end this season. Having only turned 19 last week, O’Sullivan is a pacey winger well able to cause problems for opponents. Having notched a goal in a 6-3 win over Waterford, O’Sullivan will be looking to add more end product going forward next season.

Having featured 27 times in league action, O’Sullivan will be looking to add to this in 2019, as well as improve his goal and assist count. A real bright spark from a dismal season for the Shannonsiders. 

Best New Signing: Cían Coleman

Coleman signed from Cobh Ramblers having become a pivotal member of the Rams midfield having previously lined out for Cork City. Time is very much on his side and his combative style as well as his energetic performances show why Neil McDonald signed him immediately following the 2017 season. 

Coleman along with Cantwell enjoyed a decent season, with perhaps Coleman’s best work in the first half of a challenging season. It’s likely that League of Ireland fans will be seeing more of Coleman, after easily winning fans over with his aggressive midfield battling. 

What we expected they would do: 9th

The extratime.ie team expected Limerick to finish 9^th. Many deciding that Bray were inferior but that Limerick would trial Sligo and Bohemians. It was impossible for any reporter to look beyond a relegation scrap. 

What they actually did: 9^th

Limerick finished 9^thand by some distance. Nine points ahead of Bray and a whopping 15 behind 8^thplaced Derry City, Limerick had their play-off spot booked for some time. Eventually the lack of quality and experience cost Limerick, as Finn Harps relegated the Blues, as they did in 2015. While many could have predicted that outcome, few could have foreseen the abject nature of their last 90 minutes as a premier division outfit. 

What they need to improve on for next year: 

Off the field improvement is clearly the first step towards a healthier on-field product. Tommy Barrett assembled a competitive squad only for a mid-season crisis meaning he had to release a half-dozen of his higher earners. The boom-bust nature of Limerick in the last three to fours seasons hasn’t served them well. 

A disconnection with the fans and a staleness to the club has seen fans vote with their feet. When relegated in 2015, Limerick destroyed the first division opposition with a huge budget gaining promotion with ease, but ultimately that short-sighted decision has contributed to serious financial issues. The Limerick Chairman Pat O’Sullivan has been well-spoken about the need to find alternate investment, with issues with the Revenue Commissioners still hanging over the club.

Should Limerick stabilise off the pitch, they may attempt to do similar one it. Before Limerick can run again, they must walk. A part-time squad filled with young, local talent is almost a certainty in 2019, and reconnecting with the community would be the first step on a road back to the top tier. 

Should a new source of money be found, the club must still reconnect with its fans and attempt to improve their offering to its latent support. The ill-feeling around the Markets Field as Limerick were relegated was natural, but this needs to be addressed to help grow the club again – it was only 18 months ago that the club were aiming for European football. 

Goal Harps. Game over.

— Limerick FC (@LimerickFCie) November 2, 2018