Wexford Youths -v- Limerick FC
Credit:
WEXFORD YOUTHS
Things have not being going too well for Shane Keegan’s men as last Friday night’s cancelled game in Athlone denied his team the chance to register their first win since May 11th.
Before that game the manager had challenged his team to “show our character and what we are made of” as they looked to bounce back from a four-game league run of three draws and a disappointing home defeat to Mervue United.
Wexford still have a realistic chance of finishing in fourth spot by virtue of the fact that Athlone and Finn Harps are also dropping points of late, but a visit from the league leaders is not, perhaps, the ideal scenario when you’re looking to get your season back on track.
The team can take heart from the display they gave the last time Limerick came to Ferrycarrig Park when they defended manfully and where perhaps unlucky not to gain a share of the spoils.
Speaking to the club website, Keegan was hopeful that they could play as well as they did in that first encounter.
“It’s going to be really tough, but we gave a fantastic performance here the first day. We did a lot of things right and I can’t see why if we continue to do those things right, and be a bit more creative in front of goal, we can’t give them problems this Friday night.”
They will have to do so without Craig Wall as the midfielder is suspended.
LIMERICK FC
It’s been a busy period for Limerick as they played three matches in four days over the bank holiday weekend, drawing with Longford in the league before suffering defeats to Manchester City, in a glamour friendly in Thomond Park, and Shamrock Rovers in the EA Sports Cup semi-final.
Pat Scully must now re-focus his players as attention once again turns to the main focus of the season, which is getting promotion to the premier league.
The manager was in confident form when speaking to the Limerick Leader that his team had what it takes to maintain their position on top of the first division.
“Our focus has always been the league. Big friendly games will inevitably bring a bit of hype and it was a great experience for the fans, but for the staff and the players the league is the be-all and end-all. Nothing else has been prioritised apart from getting promotion and that hasn’t changed. Wexford is always a challenging place to go and they’re defensively well set up. I was delighted with the performance against Longford last week and if we can perform to the level we’re capable of, Wexford will have to play out of their skins to beat us.”
He will be without his first choice goalkeeper as David Ryan was stretchered off against Manchester City with damaged ligaments and is set to be out of action for a month, but Robert Kluciar should be recovered from a bang he took against Shamrock Rovers.
Referee: Adriano Reale
MATCH STATS
The teams last met on the 22nd of June when Limerick cruised to a four-nil win but both sides finished the game with ten men as Joe Gamble saw red for Limerick, while Mark Phelan was ordered off for Wexford Youths.
Limerick FC have not drawn any of their games on the road this season, winning eight and losing two.
Wexford defeated Limerick once in last season’s league encounters but lost the other two, 3-2 and 6-0.
BETTING
Wexford Youths 7/1 Draw 10/3 Limerick FC 4/11.
PREDICTION
Wexford Youths 0-1 Limerick FC.
Wexford Youths Injury News: None.
Wexford Youths Suspension News: Craig Wall.
Limerick FC Injury News: David Ryan, David O’Leary.
Limerick FC Injury News: None.
