Limerick FC -v- Wexford Youths

Limerick host Wexford Youths on Friday night in an Airtricity First Division clash which has a massive significance for both sides. (Kickoff 7.45pm)

Limerick simply must win all five of their remaining games to keep their dreams of promotion alive, while Noel O’Connor’s men sit joint bottom of the pile alongside Salthill Devon and need the points to try and secure their place in the First Division next year.

Limerick are on somewhat of a buzz. In the last two weeks they have somehow saved their season in the dying seconds of games. A fortnight ago the Blues found themselves in a deadlock with Longford Town before Denis Behan popped up with a minute to go to fire home. If the Limerick fans thought that was the way to win a match, they would be quickly corrected just a week later. After going behind to a Philly Hughes goal in Tolka Park, Limerick left it late to score not one, but two injury time goals to ensure that they would fight on for another week. Surely a third week in a row is beyond them for late winners.

Wexford, meanwhile, are in a bit of a slump. They haven’t won any of their last seven matches and have only collected a single point from those encounters. Their last win was almost two months ago against the underachieving Waterford United. Their last encounter resulted in a 3-0 home defeat at the hands of Mervue United.

The sides have met twice already this year, with both sides winning their respective away ties. Limerick won in Ferrycarrig Park thanks to a late own goal from Craig Wall while Shane Nolan provided a splendid lob from all of thirty yards to claim the three points for the Youths in April on Shannonside.

Noel O’Connor highlights that Limerick do struggle to play at home, and this is in no small part due to the lack of space in which Limerick need to exploit their opponents. “Sometimes they struggle to play at home. They had a great win last week in Tolka against Shels, but hopefully we can continue to be their bogey team.”

Limerick have no new injury concerns, but still have the longest injured list in the division. They welcome back the influential John Frost, who has now fully recovered from injury and will be available for contention. The point is often made regarding just how well Limerick would be doing if they had a clean bill of health from the beginning.

Wexford will be without Mark Phelan as he has picked up a foot injury, and Patsy Malone will face a late fitness test over his back injury which has ruled him out of training all week. 

Limerick

Injured: Dave Ryan, Shaun Maher, Garry Sheahan, Brian O’Callaghan, James O’Brien, Stephen O’Flynn. 

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Wexford Youths:

Injured: Mark Phelan.

Doubtful: Patsy Malone.

Suspended: None.

Referee: Graham Kelly.

Paddy Power Odds: Limerick 1/8 Draw 6/1 Wexford 14/1

Extratime prediction: A 2-0 home win.