Dundalk vs Limerick 37

• Keith Wallace
• Wed, Oct 29 2008




Joint leaders Dundalk will again move three points clear at the top of the League of Ireland First Division table if they defeat in-form Limerick 37 at Oriel Park this Thursday evening (kick-off 7.45pm). The Lilywhites, as they have done for the past fortnight, lie behind Shelbourne only due to a one-goal inferior goal difference, however, they come into this game following last weekend’s fantastic win in Waterford.

After suffering two damaging defeats in-a-row to Longford Town and Wexford Youths earlier this month, Dundalk have bounced back tremendously with back-to-back wins over title rivals Sporting Fingal and Waterford United. With that win on the South East went a number of unwanted records, chief among them being a first clean-sheet in the league in ten games.

Now, another ghost that the Lilywhites will wish to bury is the one which Limerick have created over the past twelve months. In the sides’ last four meetings, the Shannonsiders have won three times, including the last two encounters, and all, incidentally, on 2-0 scorelines. Two of those victories came on their last two visits to Oriel Park, the first exactly a year ago and the last back in June. The third came at Jackman Park at the end of August.

There is no need, however, to rhyme off those results to Dundalk boss John Gill, who knows exactly the task that his side will face to keep the pressure on Shelbourne with just three games remaining in the title race. “Limerick have caused us major problems in the past, so we know it will be another difficult assignment,” Gill told dundalkfc.com. “Last week was a big win for us, but every game is just as important now, and those three points we got in Waterford will mean little if we don’t go about our business in the right way here.”

Limerick, on their form outside of that against Dundalk, have performed extremely well in the second-half of the season and would be challenging for promotion had that form been matched in the opening months of the campaign. They are unbeaten in six outings (four wins/two draws) and have won six and drawn two of their last nine games. Their last loss came at home to Shels six weeks ago, while their last away defeat came almost three months ago when they were beaten 3-1 by Waterford at the RSC.

Team News: Dundalk welcome back in-form striker Robbie Farrell from suspension. Farrell, who has hit five goals in his last five appearances, missed out on last week’s trip to Waterford as a result of accumulating four penalty points. It is also hoped that young sensation Tiarnán Mulvenna (leg) will be fit after also sitting out last Friday’s game through injury. The only negative on Gill’s available list is fellow forward Robbie Martin, who is out for the remainder of the season with a back problem. Limerick have no suspension worries but promising midfielder Jason Hughes will be absent as he is touring France with the Irish Under-17 team.

Limerick 37 will be missing Jason Hughes as he is with Ireland U-18s in France. Apart from that, Limerick's only injury worry is captain Pat Purcell who is doubtful after picking up a knock against Waterford.