Gaffney enjoying the Limerick experience

Players can often encounter a hostile atmosphere when returning to play their former clubs, but in the opinion of Limerick FC forward Rory Gaffney, Mervue United will take a more professional stance on things.

Since signing for the Blues, Gaffney has featured in every league game. He has set up two crucial goals for the side in the RSC and at home to Longford Town aswell as performing reasonably well in every encounter he has played in. His loss will be felt by Mervue, but that matters very little to the Limerick fans who get to revel in watching him perform.

Gaffney, who spoke exclusively to Extratime.ie said: “Well the lads and management have been very welcoming.” He does however, pay respect to his time at Mervue and understands he is still very much in transition. “It was my first time ever moving having played with Mervue for eight years at underage level and then in the A-Championship. I played with the club for two and a half seasons in the first division so I found it strange at the start with travelling and not knowing anyone but I’m settling in now and enjoying myself.”

Going from mid-table mediocrity to a promotion race can be extremely exciting, if not somewhat scary. Rory feels though that both himself the club are not feeling the pressure at this time. “Since I joined the club at the beginning of August we’ve played seven league games and we’ve won five and drawn two and to me that doesn’t seem like a team struggling to cope with pressure. It’s nice to have something to aim for with four games left and I think we’re enjoying the challenge. I’ve never been in a promotion race before and I think the pressure to get promoted isn’t having a negative effect, if anything it’s helping us focus more and we are all confident of maintaining our form and gaining promotion. Pressure is something that comes with football and trying to gain promotion and we play football to enjoy all these experiences.”

While certain players receive a hard time going back to their old clubs, Rory is confident that the players won’t be out to get him, and will play their style as they always do.” I’m great friends and go to college with a lot of the lads in Mervue so I can’t see many of them giving me the cold shoulder but I’m not expecting them to roll over. Mervue are having a good season and can still finish 5th which was their aim at the start of the season so I expect them to treat it like a normal game and treat me like another player and make it a tough game but it will be interesting playing against the lads.”

Many of the punters would be tempted by placing bets on Rory Gaffney scoring his first goal for the club against Mervue; such is the ironic series of events that seem to crop up time after time in football. Rory himself feels that scoring Friday against his former side is unimportant. “It’s always nice to score goals but it’s not important that I score Friday night but as long as someone scores and we win the game. I’ve no problem waiting until next year to score my first goal as long as my first goal is in the premier division next season.”

Confident of Limerick’s promotion, Rory highlights the fact that Monaghan have a very tough set of fixtures, but realises Limerick need to win their four remaining games to capitalise. “With the teams ahead of us having games in hand on us, I do feel we will need maximum points in our last four games. We play Monaghan in three games time and between now and then they have to play Cork and Shelbourne so things will be a lot clearer by the time we travel up there but the main thing is we keep performing and winning our games. “

When asked if he had given inside information, Rory admitted he has his theories about Mervue having been there so long. “I’ve been asked one or two questions alright which I’ve tried to give answer but we won’t know until Friday if I’m right or wrong.”

Rory has been featured in two different positions so far under Pat Scully. When asked has he a preference, he answered in a grateful manner. “I prefer playing up front but if I’m picked to play on the left or right I still have to give my best and be happy that I’m in the starting 11.”

To close, Rory highlighted that he firmly believed Limerick would be in the Premier Division next year. “I believe it is well within our grasp to finish at least 3rd. With our current form I’m confident we can win our last four games and clinch at least a play-off spot if not automatic promotion, depending on how Cork and Monaghan fare out in their remaining games.”

Limerick will travel to Fahy’s Field for Rory’s return on Friday evening. Stay tuned to Extratime.ie to see how this encounter pans out.