League Preview: Drogheda United -v- Limerick

DROGHEDA UNITED

Fifth-placed Drogheda United take on fourth placed Limerick at United Park on Friday evening (kick-off 7.45pm).

Drogheda head into the game on the back of a 1-0 defeat at home to Longford Town last week, with Aaron Dobbs’ strike just before halftime giving Neale Fenn’s side all three points.

“I definitely think we should have got something out of the game,” manager Tim Clancy told the club’s media team prior to the game.

“We just didn’t take a few chances and in fairness to Dobbs, he took a brilliant chance when it’s come his way.

“There’s no point going on about how we should have a got a point or we should. Longford went down the road with three points and they won’t care how they played.”

The first time these sides played this season, the game ended in a scoreless draw in Market’s Field, with Jack Brady making a number of saves for Limerick.

“They are similar to maybe four of five other teams in the league, with ourselves in the middle of that, where some weeks you get great results and then some weeks you get poor results.

“It’s one of them games that we’ve got to prepare for the best team turning up. If they are at it and if we are at it, it’s surely going to be a good game,” Clancy said.

Drogheda will again be without long term injury absentee Adam Wixted, who had a planned operation on his injury delayed to illness.

Thomas Byrne and Paul Skinner both also remain doubtful.

LIMERICK

Limerick travel to United Park to face Drogheda this evening looking for their second win on the bounce.

Shaun Kelly’s long-range strike with six minutes to play was enough to give Tommy Barrett’s side the victory over Bray Wanderers last week.

That result leaves Limerick sitting fourth in the First Division, behind Longford Town, Cabinteely and Shelbourne.

Barrett’s side are a point and one place clear of tonight’s opponents Drogheda, with both clubs going into this game with similar form, having won two, lost two and drawn one of their last five games.

Limerick will be without the suspended duo of Sean McSweeney and Jason Hughes.

Aaron Fitzgerald, Will Fitzgerald, Sean Russell and Andy Quaid are unavailable with injury and Colm Walsh O’Loghlen and Robbie Williams are doubtful.

Referee: Adriano Reale.

MATCH STATS

Drogheda and Limerick both come into this game with two wins, two defeats and a draw from their last five league games.

Limerick, who sit fourth in the league, are unbeaten this season at Market’s Field but have lost three of their five away games to date.

Drogheda’s two defeats at home this season have come against the two teams currently occupying the top two spots in the league, Longford Town and Cabinteely.

BETTING

Drogheda United 1/2; Draw 11/4; Limerick 9/2.

PREDICTION

Drogheda United 1-0 Limerick

Drogheda United

Injured: Adam Wixted.

Doubtful: Paul Skinner, Thomas Byrne.

Suspended: None.

Limerick

Injured: Aaron Fitzgerald, Will Fitzgerald, Andy Quaid, Sean Russell.

Doubtful: Robbie Williams, Colm Walsh O’Loghlen.

Suspended: Sean McSweeney, Jason Hughes.