Limerick FC -v- Athlone Town

• Andrew Cunneen
• Thu, Apr 28 2011


Mike Kerley makes his return to Jackman Park with Athlone Town on Friday evening in an attempt to sabotage the promotion hopes of his former employers, Limerick FC. (Kickoff 7.45 pm)

Kerley finds his side sitting a point ahead of Pat Scully’s men after eight rounds of league matches and his defensive approach is clearly working at Lissywoolen. Kerley isn’t the only one making his return to their former stomping ground. Ex-Limerick players Darren Young, Paul Danaher, Bobby Tier, Tommy Barrett and Brendan Daly all make their return to Shannonside.

Athlone are looking for their fourth consecutive league win, a feat which, if managed, would be the first in ten years for the midland club. Three successive one nil wins against Wexford, Finn Harps and Mervue see the Town enter this one in a more hopeful frame of than might have been expected.

Limerick have also produced some decent results recently and are coming off the back of two straight wins, in the league and league cup respectively. Their last league encounter produced a two goal haul for Stephen O’Flynn at Fahys Field where Mervue United were put to the sword two weekends ago, while last Monday the Blues progressed to the last eight of the EA Sports Cup, defeating their Munster rivals Waterford United by a Garbhan Coughlan goal to nil.

A win for either side would see them putting pressure on the teams lying in the promotion spots. One may be tempted to overlook Athlone’s long term ambitions but results tell their own story, and the Town are the form side in the division as it stands.

Ironically, the last time Athlone managed to gather three wins a row was in the 2000/01 season, when a scoreless draw ended the possibility of four in a row for the midlands side. Will history repeat itself once more?

Limerick FC:
Injured: Garry Sheahan, Thomas Lyons.
Doubtful: Dave Ryan.
Suspended: None.

Athlone Town:
Injured: None.
Doubtful: Gary Higgins, Jamie Carr.
Suspended: Stephen Relihan.

Referee:Sean Grant .
Paddy Power Odds: Limerick 4/11; Draw 16/5; Athlone 13/2.
Extratime prediction: A 1-1 draw, a surprise to many.