Mervue United -v- Limerick

Promotion chasing Limerick FC travel to Fahy’s Field to take on Mervue Utd as Pat Scully’s side look for a fourth win on the bounce in September. Kick off is at 7.45 p.m.

Since playing out an exciting 3-3 draw with promotion rivals, Cork City, Scully’s side have recorded wins over Longford Town (1-0), league leaders Shelbourne (2-1) and an emphatic 6-0 thrashing of Wexford Youths last week. With just four games remaining they are certainly hitting form at the right time of the campaign.

Johnny Glynn’s home side are looking to finish their final five games of the season on a positive run that could see them secure a top six finish with only two points between them, Longford Town and Waterford Utd. Although Mervue have had an excellent season so far and will attain their highest finish since joining the league a top half placing would really cap a fine campaign for the Galway side.

Tonight’s game also has the added feature of the return of Rory Gaffney to his old club as he visits Fahy’s Field for the first time since his transfer to the Shannonsiders in the July transfer window. Gaffney still remains the Airtricity League record goal scorer and appearance holder for his former club having appeared 77 times for them and scoring 15 goals in the process. He is sure to get a good welcome from the home support apart from the important ninety minutes of serious football.

Long term injuries continue to rule out Tom King (knee), goalkeeper TJ Forde (cruciate) and Mike Collins (ankle), while Dan Cunningham also continues to receive treatment on a thigh injury. On the positive front midfielder Noel Varley returns from suspension having missed the 3-0 win over Wexford Youths but his replacement in that game, Kevin Crehan, will miss the final run in of games as he has moved to the UK to finish his college degree but would have missed this game through suspension in any case. Striker Jason Molloy also returns to the squad having missed the last three league games with a groin injury.

Limerick continue without the services of Stephen O’Flynn, who scored both goals in Limerick’s 2-0 win at Fahy’s Field back in April, Gary Sheahan, Shaun Maher and Dave Ryan. Both David O’Leary and Peter White also miss out as they serve one match suspensions for four yellow cards.

Mervue manager Johnny Glynn on tonight’s game “We will be looking to build on the Wexford game and take maximum points from our remaining five games as our clear focus now is on achieving a top six finish. Limerick have assembled a very strong squad and will be a tough game for us as they will come to Fahy’s Field looking for a fourth win in a row as they push for a return to the Premier Division and we will need to be on form to take something from the game.”

The home side’s record is not very impressive against tonight’s visitors as their record of one win in eight meetings does not read well but Glynn’s side do come into the game on the back of excellent 3-0 away win over Wexford Youths in their most recent game. That only win over Limerick was achieved in the club’s first season in LOI football back in the 2009 season and came courtesy of Alex Lee’s first ever Airtricity league goal in Terryland Park. In this season’s two league meeting’s, Pat Scully’s side have won both games on a 2-0 scoreline.

Mervue United :

Injured: Tom King (cruciate), Dan Cunningham (thigh), Mike Collins (ankle), TJ Forde (cruciate).

Doubtful: None

Suspended: Kevin Crehan.

Limerick FC

Injured: Stephen O’Flynn, Gary Sheahan, Shaun Maher, Dave Ryan.

Doubtful: None

Suspended: David O’Leary, Peter White.

Referee: Phil Caschera (Kildare)

Paddy Power Odds: Mervue Utd 13/2 Draw 3/1 Limerick FC 2/5

Extratime prediction: A 2-1 away win.