League Preview: Limerick -v- Cabinteely

Limerick will look to keep up with the pace setters in the SSE Airtricity First Division when they take on the challenge of top of the table Cabinteely in an enthralling fixture at the Market’s Field tomorrow evening (kick-off 7.45pm).

LIMERICK

The Super Blues still find themselves in with a realistic chance of promotion to the Premier Division despite all the turmoil both on and off the pitch and have the chance to close the gap on league leaders with a much needed home win.

The Shannonsiders were involved in a five goal thriller last Saturday evening at St. Colman’s Park when they came out the right side of a 3-2 scoreline. Limerick found themselves firmly in the driving seat at the break with goals from Darren Murphy and Shane Tracy giving them a 2-0 advantage at half-time.

It was a different story after the restart as Cobh came out of the blocks flying and pegged the Super Blues back to 2-2 thanks to goals from Charlie Lyons and Shane O’Connor with a quarter of the game remaining. The fight back from The Rams stunned the away side but Limerick regained their composure and Darren Murphy proved to be the match winner notching his second penalty to give Tommy Barrett’s men maximum points.

The win was a vital three points for the Super Blues who stopped a run of losing 3 of their 4 previous matches in the league having been beaten by Shelbourne (2-0), Longford Town (1-0), and Drogheda United (3-2) with their only win being a hard fought 1-0 win over fellow promotion rivals Bray Wanderers at the Market’s Field.

CABINTEELY

Cabo make the arduous journey to the Mid-West and go into this game with the aim of getting their title challenge back on track by snatching a win and taking all three points back with them to South Dublin.

Cabinteely were given a footballing lesson last Saturday night in their own backyard by a rampant Drogheda United who dished out a 5-0 thrashing to leave a serious dent in Eddie Gormley’s sides promotion aspirations.

The Drogs hit the front as early as the tenth minute thanks to Chris Lyons and doubled their advantage through Stephen Meaney on 26 minutes. Lyons then grabbed his second of the evening just after the half-time interval to make it 3-0 before Luke McNally made it four just seven minutes later. Man of the match Lyons completed an impressive hat-trick and the rout with 10 minutes still left to play.

It was a bitter pill for Cabo to swallow having previously been in a rich vein of form having gone unbeaten in their previous 6 league matches with 5 wins over Cobh Ramblers (0-1), Athlone Town (3-2), Wexford (0-2), Shelbourne (1-0), and Longford Town (1-0) and drawing 1-1 with Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds.

Referee: Jason Mannix

MATCH FACTS

Limerick and Cabinteely have already met once this season in the SSE Airtricity First Division with the Super Blues securing a hard fought 2-1 win over Cabo at Stradbrook Park back in March.

Limerick and Cabinteely have played each other just 6 times in all competitions since 2016 with the Super Blues having the bragging rights having won all 6 matches.

Limerick scored 12 goals in their 6 matches averaging 2 goals per game with Cabinteely scoring 2 goals in their 6 matches averaging 0.33 per match.

Limerick are currently in 6^th place in the SSE Airtricity First Division on 21 points with 6 wins, 3 draws and 4 defeats in their 13 matches.

Cabinteely are currently in 1^st place in the SSE Airtricity First Division on 26 points with 8 wins, 2 draws and 3 defeats from their 13 matches.

BETTING

Limerick 13/8 Draw 2/1 Cabinteely 6/4

PREDICTION

Limerick 2-2 Cabinteely

Limerick

Injured: Unknown

Doubtful: Unknown

Suspended: None

Cabinteely

Injured: Unknown

Doubtful: Unknown

Suspended: Shaun Kelly