Limerick FC -v- Finn Harps

LIMERICK FC

The pressure is well and truly on for the Shannonsiders. While the pundits may easily predict a home win, Limerick know they have to work for their points. The Blues won’t be badly hampered by injuries for their season opener with Garbhan Coughlan and Dave Ryan the only minor doubts. Rory Gaffney has just come off the operating table after a successful surgery to his calves but has repeatedly shown his fitness in pre-season.

So often it has been a poor start that has cost Limerick, but this time around, everyone expects Lims to dominate from the beginning. Speaking to the Limerick Post, Pat Scully admitted that Harps have a very capable squad, but his boys are ready for the challenge.

“We are very pleased with the pre-season overall, we have a full squad to choose from and it’s also nice to start the season at home for the first time in a long while. It’s about what we do Friday that counts. We have had Finn Harps watched and they are a decent team with some good players. We have a very strong squad, and our lads are 100% determined to get off to a good start.”

FINN HARPS

A sense of optimism greets Ballybofey this year. According to the bookmakers and the general outlook from most Airtricity League enthusiasts, four or five teams will be fighting it out for second and third place and Harps certainly have a fighting chance of snatching a playoff spot. Manager Peter Hutton is suspended from the sideline for this tie however, having been sent to the stand in his sides loss to Shelbourne last season.

Harps will also be without the influential Stephen O’Donnell for this one; he picked up his fourth yellow card in the penultimate game of last season against Mervue United. The Healy/Hutton partnership may be short a few bodies ahead of their opener due to fitness and injury problems.

Keith Cowan and Blaine Curtis both have niggles while James Doherty may miss the tie due to lack of fitness. Tommy Bonner will be assessed before the match having complained of Achilles trouble. Former Limerick winger Chris Breen will also miss one this due to his commitment to a green-keeping course in Cork.

Referee: Jim McKell.

MATCH STATS

Limerick have failed to win their opening game of the season since 2007. This came in the form of a 2-0 victory over eventual champions Cobh Ramblers at Turners Cross.

These sides met in the first game of last season also. That game finished in a 2-2 draw.

You need to go back to May 2009 to find the last time Finn Harps left with anything from Shannonside. A David McDaid goal secured a share of the spoils for Harps that day.

BETTING

Limerick 1/8; Draw 11/2; Finn Harps 14/1.

PREDICTION

Limerick 3-1 Finn Harps. 

Live Updates Link: http://extratime.ie/fixtures/detail/18085/1/