Athlone Town -v- Limerick FC

• Andrew Cunneen
• Fri, Jul 15 2011


Limerick FC travel to the midlands on Saturday night to tackle a tough Athlone Town side who have won their last two games and are playing in a confident fashion. This game could also well see the debuts of both Denis Behan and Joe Gamble for the Shannonsiders. (Kickoff 7.30 pm)

Both sides beat Mervue United in their last league encounter with Limerick’s victory coming a week before Athlone’s due to their bye-week. Athlone managed to turn around a one goal deficit, Noel McGee scoring a brace as his side produced a fantastic second half display.

Limerick have been on a good run lately and the signings of Denis Behan, Joe Gamble, Shaun Maher and Shaun Kelly should further solidify their fine form. Garbhan Coughlan and Paudie Quinn were the goal-scorers in the Blue’s 2-0 win over United at Jackman Park a fortnight ago. But a young Limerick side did look tired throughout and the break came at the perfect time for Pat Scully’s men.

Despite the fact that the week off gives Lims a chance to recover from fatigue, and for injured players to regain fitness, manager Scully isn’t a fan of the bye-week system. “I don’t favour it, you’d like to be playing. It was a great result for us tonight [against Mervue] and we’d like to continue from that. The window is open now, so the next time we play, we’ll have Denis, Joe and Shaun Kelly. If we can get a few back from injury, that means we’ll have six extra players. We need that, you can’t keep playing seventeen year olds every week, it doesn’t work. I don’t like the break, but it comes at a good time for us.”

Athlone assistant and former Limerick striker Padraig Moran spoke after his side’s win against Mervue last week. He said: “The atmosphere in the squad is really positive and all the players are really looking forward to the Limerick game. This is a huge game for us and especially for the players let go by Limerick in the last few years as I know a few of them feel they’ve something to prove. Limerick have made some big signings over the last few weeks but that might add some pressure on them and who knows what will happen but we are totally focused on our own game and six points from the last two games was good.”

The reverse of this fixture was played back in April and Limerick won it comfortably by three goals to nil. Athlone, however, have strengthened since then, signing many former Limerick players such as Wayne Colbert and Jason Hughes. This one promises to be a closely fought battle between two sides who are very familiar with each other.

Athlone Town:
Injured: None.
Doubtful: Jason Hughes.
Suspended: None.

Limerick FC:
Injured: Stephen O’Flynn, Garry Sheahan, Brian O’Callaghan, James O’Brien.
Doubtful: Shane Tracy.
Suspended: None.

Referee: Kevin O’Regan.
Paddy Power Odds: Athlone 11/2, Draw 13/5, Limerick 1/2,
Extratime prediction: Limerick to win by three goals.