Limerick -v- Longford Town

• David Byrne
• Thu, Mar 18 2010


Limerick FC will host Tony Cousins’ Longford Town at Jackman Park on Friday as Pat Scully’s side look to get three points for the first time this season. (Kick-off 7:45p.m).

Friday’s clash with Limerick is a tough task according to Tony Cousins as his side look to extend their unbeaten start to the season. Speaking about Limerick’s game against Derry, Cousins said “They (Limerick) should have gotten something from the game, which is what the report I got on the game told me. They had a number of good chances and hit the bar so they're a very good team and it's going to be difficult for us again.”

Limerick are managed by Pat Scully, an old sparring partner of Cousins during their playing days, but Longford's manager isn't motivated by getting one over on his old rival. “I'm only interested in Longford,” he said, “I'm not worried about personalities. We just have to go down there and play as well as we can and see what happens. Like I've been telling the players, we can't get carried away when we lose but equally can't get carried away when we win.”

Limerick will hope their luck turns after last Friday’s game with Derry City where many neutrals agreed Limerick should have come away from Jackman Park with at least a point.

Longford will be full of confidence after a 2-2 draw against Monaghan at Gortakeegan last Friday. Longford Town looked like they were heading towards their first defeat of the season but a late brace from the in-form Fiachra McArdle earned a share of the spoils.

Longford Town have a much improved squad this season which includes ex-Limerick favourite John Lester and it will prove to be a close game at Jackman Park on Friday as both managers have built a solid defence and a hard working midfield.

Pat Scully thinks Friday’s game will be a tough one “They have a good team and some good players, but so do we. We have a good team, we have good players and if we play to our potential we can get something out of Friday night's game”

Longford are without Philly Byrne (Knee), Cathal Brady (Hamstring), and Chris Deans is suspended for the trip to Limerick.

Limerick are also without their team captain Pat Purcell (knee) and Conor Molan who will be out for another two weeks with a reoccurring knee injury. Added to that injury list are another two defenders, Declan Cahill and Martin Deady who are suffering from a hamstring and Achilles injury respectively picked up against Derry City last Friday.

Limerick FC
Injured: Pat Purcell, Conor Molan, Declan Cahill, Martin Deady
Doubtful: Shane Clarke
Suspended: none

Longford Town
Injured: Philly Byrne, Cathal Brady
Doubtful: none
Suspended: Chris Deans

Venue: Jackman Park, Limerick

Referee: J. McKell

Paddypower.com Odds: Limerick 10/11, Draw 9/4, Longford 5/2

Extratime.ie Prediction: 2-1