Limerick -v- Waterford United

Jackman Park will host the second Munster derby of the season when Waterford United make the trip west to face rivals Limerick FC on Friday night. (Kick-off 7.45pm)

LIMERICK FC

Despite a shaky start, Pat Scully’s men have really steadied the ship in the previous few weeks, producing fine performances against Cork City, Wexford and most recently, Finn Harps. Perhaps the pre-season expectations placed on the Shannonsiders were the cause of the inconsistencies in the earlier weeks of the season, but Lims seem to have received their reality check and are now approaching cruising altitude, just in time for revenge to be carried out over United.

In the previous encounter between these sides, it was Waterford who prevailed despite Limerick being dubbed as heavy favourites. Limerick fell by a scoreline of three goals to one thanks to some very poor defensive organisation. What is important is despite the rocky start the Limerick have made, they lie just a single point off top spot.

The steady partnership of Joe Gamble and Stephen Bradley would be a suitable partnership for most Premier Division sides, and as one would expect, both seem a class above when on the ball. Rory Gaffney has hit form also in previous weeks; producing a top class display in Ballybofey and scoring in Ferrycarrig Park. Limerick seem to have shaken off the early season blues and now seem to be becoming the team that everybody expected them to be from the off.

Dominic Foley is the only injury Pat Scully has to deal with. The ex-Cercle Brugge star will be out for another three weeks following a knock he picked up earlier on in the season. Pat Purcell could be set to return to the line-up following his exclusion due to injury in Limerick’s previous league victory, but wholesale changes are not expected considering the level of performance produced. Barry Ryan will miss the next three games due to a red card picked up from the bench against Finn Harps last Saturday.

WATERFORD UNITED

Due to the unique structure of the First Division this season, Waterford United are both third from bottom, and fifth from top; a rather unusual combination of positioning. The obscure nature of the league structure also mimics the league form of Paul O’Brien’s side. While performances at home have been decent, the Blues are yet to win on their travels but fans could certainly not pick a sweeter place to get off the mark than Jackman Park.

Waterford produced their finest performance of the season last week against Wexford Youths; scoring four goals in the process. Young sensation Sean Maguire bagged two for his side as they eased past a hapless Youths side at the RSC.

United have no suspensions to deal with, although room on the treatment table is hard to come by nowadays for the Blues as no less than six players look set to miss the crucial encounter in Limerick. Adam McSherry, Gary Keane, David Breen and Daragh Walshe are all certainties to miss the clash while Willie John Kiely and Paul Phelan will face late fitness tests ahead of the trip down the N24.

Following his side’s win over Wexford, Paul O’Brien was full of both praise and optimism for his side. “We have taken a lot of criticism in recent weeks so I was delighted we turned in a good performance for the fans. It was great to score four goals, but for me another main factor was that we kept a clean sheet. We have beaten Limerick once this season, and this win will have worked wonders for all the lads, and although we play them in Jackman Park we are all looking forward to the match."

Referee: James McKell.

MATCH STATS

Waterford have not won in Limerick since April 2009.

In each of their last four trips to Limerick, Waterford have failed to score a single goal.

Limerick have hosted Waterford 71 times in the league – winning 23, losing 30 and drawing 18.

BETTING

Limerick 8/15; Draw 5/2; Waterford United 5/1.

PREDICTION

Limerick will see this one out; 2-0.

Limerick FC Injury News: Dominic Foley.

Limerick FC Suspensions: Barry Ryan.

Waterford United Injury News: Daragh Walshe, Adam McSherry, Gary Keane, David Breen, Willie John Kiely, Paul Phelan.

Waterford United Suspensions: None.