Preview: Limerick 37 vs Waterford Utd

• David Byrne
• Thu, May 29 2008




Limerick 37 take on Waterford United at Jackman Park on Friday night following their unexpected away win against Longford Town last Friday night. Waterford hope to keep their title challenge alive with a trip to Munster rivals Limerick and they will look to get back to winning ways after a 3-1 defeat to Sporting Fingal on Monday night.

After that defeat, Waterford United now lie on level points with Sporting Fingal and six points behind league leaders Shelbourne, but despite this Waterford have been in good form recently and Limerick will face a tough task on Friday night.

The last time these two sides met Gareth Cronin’s side came away as 3-1 winners against Limerick at the RSC. Waterford United manager Gareth Cronin is hopefully his side can repeat that performance against Limerick this Friday. "We need to get out and get a result in Limerick, we're more than capable of doing so." Mike Kerley’s side have been inconsistent so far this season so this game will be a real test for his young side.

Both sides have big injury and suspension lists to worry about going into Friday’s game, but despite this Gareth Cronin is confident prior to this game. “I'm not going to dwell on the injuries and suspensions; I'm going to think about beating Limerick, keeping ourselves in the frame, then getting a good result in Galway.”

Limerick 37 Team News: Limerick 37 are still without influential club captain Pat Purcell who remains a long term injury worry. The exciting Shane Tracy remains a doubt with his ever persisting knee injury. He faces a late fitness test on Friday to determine if he can play Friday night’s game. Limerick are also without Vice-captain Tommy Barrett who is due to get married this Friday. Centre-back Paul Danaher is suspended for one game after picking up four yellow cards.

Waterford United Team News: It has been confirmed that Waterford midfielder Paul McCarthy has broken his left ankle and torn his left ankle ligaments. He is expected to be out for around five months after suffering this horrific injury against Sporting Fingal on Monday. In other injury news Dave Warren faces a late fitness test after he was also taken off injured against Sporting Fingal with a hip injury. He remains doubtful. Both Stephen Quigley and Kenny Browne are suspended for the trip to Limerick. Quigley starts his suspension after his sending off against Sporting Fingal. Centre-back Kenny Browne is suspended after receiving four yellow cards.

The game kicks off at 7:45p.m