League Preview: Limerick -v- Cobh Ramblers

Second from bottom Limerick will look to kick-start their disappointing start to season when they host Cobh Ramblers in a mouth-watering Munster derby in the SSE Airtricity First Division at the Markets Field on Friday evening (kick-off 7.45pm).

LIMERICK

The Super Blues have been suffering from something of an adjustment reaction to life in the SSE Airtricity First Division having failed to register a win or even a goal so far. The Shannonsiders need to stop the rot and will be aiming to notch their first home win and goals of the campaign at the expense of Cobh Ramblers.

Limerick played out a rather dull 0-0 draw last Friday night against Drogheda United at the Market’s Field. In a game of few chances both sides cancelled each other out and the game petered out to end in a stalemate.

The Super Blues boss Tommy Barrett will try to focus on the positives as Limerick improved from their 2-0 loss at the hands of Bray Wanderers the previous week and managed to keep their 2^nd clean sheet in 3 league matches so far.

It was Limerick’s third successive game without a positive result having failed to break down a dogged Longford Town in their opening game and then were soundly beaten 2-0 by the league leaders Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds the following Friday.

Without doubt the biggest problem that Limerick have had is finding the back of the net having yet to score a single goal. Striker Conor Ellis has looked a forlorn figure up front and has found opportunities hard to come by.

With no funds available and having lost a plethora of experienced players in the close season Barrett has to rely on being able to galvanise a relatively untried collection of talented young players from the youth squad. 

COBH RAMBLERS

The Rams will make the trip to the Mid-West in a bid to continue the momentum from last week and close the gap on the promotion chasing pack.

Cobh Ramblers gave themselves a massive injection of confidence with a resounding 6-1 thrashing of a hapless Wexford at St. Colman’s Park last Saturday evening. The Rams were fully in control and 3-0 up at the break thanks to a double from Jaze Kabia and Charlie Lyons.

The visitors found themselves 4-0 in arrears just 5 minutes into the second half before grabbing a consolation goal through Jack Doherty but any hope of a miraculous comeback were quickly dashed when goals from Cian Leonard and Stephen Kenny in the final 15 minutes put the gloss of a superb display by the men from the Rebel County.

The Rams had made a horrendous start to the season having lost their first two matches and were rooted to the bottom of the table. Cobh were on the wrong end of a 4-0 trouncing at the hands of Drogheda United at United Park in their opening fixture and followed that up with a narrow 1-0 home defeat by Athlone Town at St. Colman’s Park.

Referee: Marc Lynch

MATCH FACTS

Limerick and Cobh Ramblers last met in the 2^nd Round of the EA Sport Cup last season at the Markets Field with The Rams edging out their rivals 1-0 thanks to an 89^th minute winner from Ben O’Riordan.

The Super Blue and The Rams have met each other competitively on 13 occasions since 2007 with Limerick having a marginally superior head to head record with 6 wins to Cobh’s 5 with 2 draws.

Limerick scored 23 goals in their 13 matches averaging 1.77 goals per game with Cobh scoring 12 goals averaging 0.92 goals per game.

Limerick are in 9^th place in the SSE Airtricity First Division on 2 points with 2 draws and 1 defeat in their 3 league matches.

Cobh Ramblers are in 8^th place in the SSE Airtricity First Division on 3 points with 1 win and 2 defeats in their 3 league matches.

BETTING

Limerick 13/10 Draw 2/1 Cobh Ramblers 2/1

PREDICTION

Limerick 0-2 Cobh Ramblers

Limerick

Injured: NA

Doubtful: NA

Suspended: NA

Cobh Ramblers

Injured: NA

Doubtful: NA

Suspended: NA