Limerick FC -v- Mervue United

LIMERICK FC

It hasn’t all been smiles on Shannonside as expected this season. Last weekend marked Limerick’s third defeat of the season, a milestone nobody would have predicted for the Blues just nine games into the campaign.

While the young starlet Sean Maguire combined fantastically well with the experience of Gary Dempsey and the tireless efforts of Paul Phelan, Limerick should still have had enough to overcome their Munster rivals. Why they didn’t is anybody’s guess. Perhaps it is a team chemistry issue, or a tactical issue, but the most obvious of clichés is that perhaps the players themselves don’t fully realise the fight they’re in the middle of.

Limerick have a rather horrendous home record thus far, losing half of their games at ackman Park to date. While one would imagine Pat Scully’s men should overcome a slow starting Mervue side, Waterford did manage to beat Lims after being put to the sword by Wexford the week before, so nobody can say for definite what the outcome of this one will be.

MERVUE UNITED

Mervue United have been the biggest disappointment this season. While many expected them to challenge for the play-off spots, United went through the entire first series of games without a victory. However, if there ever was a time not to play an out-of-form team, it’s when they have just notched their first victory. The Galway outfit will certainly prove a stern test for Limerick.

Last week marked their first win of the campaign in extravagant fashion as they hammered Finn Harps by three goals to nil. On what was perhaps the most romantic event of the night, Alan Murphy scored once more in a maroon jersey.

Stats do not lie however, and the stats show that Mervue have only managed a single point on their travels so far. Johnny Glynn will use last week’s victory as a catalyst for a positive team talk, but he will also have reminded his players that this could well be their toughest test yet.

Glynn is well aware of the threat Limerick pose; he said: “I was very happy with last week’s win and I thought the players responded well to the defeat in Longford. They worked hard with the right mentality. After Limerick’s defeat to Waterford last week we can expect a backlash from that result so we will have to have a good game plan and be up for the fixture and maintain our levels of concentration on Friday.”

Referee: Sean Grant.

MATCH STATS

Mervue have never won a single point at Jackman Park.

Limerick striker Rory Gaffney spent his entire underage footballing career with Mervue United, only to make the move down the N17 last summer.

The reverse of this tie ended in a 2-1 win for Limerick back in March.

BETTING

Limerick 1/4; Draw 4/1; Mervue 9/1.

PREDICTION

The wounded animal will produce a backlash; 2-0.

Limerick FC Injury News: Dominic Foley.

Limerick FC Suspensions: Barry Ryan.

Mervue United Injury News: Tom King, Kenny Farrell, Noel Varley, Brian O’Donoghue.

Mervue United Suspensions: None.