Monaghan United -v- Limerick

Two of the First Division’s promotion contenders meet at Gortakeegan on Friday night as Limerick FC travel to take on Monaghan United. (Kick-off, 8pm)

It is sure to be a tense evening with the promotion race so delicately poised as four clubs chase the two automatic places in next season’s top tier while a third gains a play-off against Galway United for a right to join them. As things stand Monaghan top the table by a single point from Cork City while Limerick lie in fourth, four points shy of the leaders.
 

A defeat for Limerick would all but rule them out of contention while Monaghan will know that come what may they will remain in the hunt until the last day when they travel south to play Athlone Town at Lisseywoollen.
 

So far, Monaghan have failed to beat any of the other three promotion chasers at Gortakeegan this year, posting a 1-0 loss against Shelbourne while drawing 1-1 at home with both Limerick and Cork City. But on a more positive note, the Mons have only failed to score in two league games so far this season.
 

As you might expect of a side topping the table Monaghan’s recent form is excellent. They have taken 27 points from the last 30 available losing only one of their last ten league games, a crucial 3-1 reverse against Cork City at Turner’s Cross. Roddy Collins’ men were also held to a 0-0 draw by Finn Harps but the Donegal side ceded all three points when they were found to have played an ineligible player.
 

Monaghan have three players ineligible themselves for this game, including top scorer Sean Brennan who has 13 to his credit so far. He and his brother Ryan, along with Keith Quinn, will have to watch from the stands on Friday night.

 

Limerick have won all of their last five league games and haven’t been beaten since July when Monaghan came to Jackman Park and left with the three points courtesy of a 2-0 win. In the nine games since then Limerick have dropped just four points following draws with Salthill Devon and a 3-3 thriller with Cork in Turner’s Cross.

 

Pat Scully’s men also seem to be more comfortable playing away from Jackman Park as they have lost only once on their travels all season. That defeat, a 1-0 reverse at Turner’s Cross, came all the way back in March and Limerick are unbeaten on the road since, winning nine and drawing three of their 12 away games.


Monaghan United
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Ryan Brennan, Sean Brennan, Keith Quinn.

 

Limerick FC
Injured: Unavailable.
Doubtful: Unavailable.
Suspended: None.
 

Referee: Phil Caschera.
Paddy Power Odds: Monaghan 6/4; Draw 11/5; Limerick 13/8.
Extratime prediction: Anything could happen in this one so I’ll go for a 1-1 draw..