Limerick FC -v- Salthill Devon

• Andrew Cunneen
• Thu, Aug 18 2011


Limerick welcome Salthill Devon to Jackman Park on Friday evening as both sides look to close a single point gap to Cork City and Wexford Youths respectively. A win for Limerick is expected, but Paul McGee returns to Shannonside for the first time since departing the Blues before the start of the 2008 season, and will be all out to spoil proceedings for the home side. (Kickoff 7.45pm)

Both sides have had very different seasons thus far. Limerick have maintained a stable position in and around the promotion spots, while also convincing some of the finest players in the league to join their ranks. Salthill, on the other hand, are the whipping boys of the division and have lost all but five of their twenty-fixtures. The arrival of Paul McGee has somewhat steadied the Devon ship in terms of organisation, but it would take a brave man to bet against the Galway side being relegated.

Limerick come into this tie off the back of two 2-1 away wins in Waterford and Ballybofey; both producing fantastic displays from Denis Behan and Shaun Kelly. The return of Shane Tracy has also improved passing technique and the overall intelligence of their play. Limerick have looked fantastic in recent performances, and can be a fantastic side to watch when in control of games.

Salthill come off the back of what must be their most humiliating defeat since joining the league. They fell to local rivals Mervue United last Saturday by five goals to nil. What makes the defeat even worse is that they had previously won a crucial foot-of-the-table encounter with Wexford Youths and some believed that it may have been a turning point in Devon’s fortunes. The performances of Ronan Forde this season in particular are the reason that Devon aren’t already condemned.

Limerick and Salthill have played each other twice this season already, with all six points on offer going to the Shannonsiders. The first of the fixtures was settled by a Shane Tracy brace and a Peter Hynes goal as Lims ran out comprehensive winners. In the reverse fixture in May, Devon ran the visitors close. Only a converted penalty from since-departed Sean O’Connor proved the difference on that occasion.

While Salthill are organised, Limerick should have more than enough in this one to overcome their resistance. Manager “Ski” McGee is missing for this one as he is serving a ban from the touchline. This could prove a factor in Salthill’s downfall, but perhaps the class of Limerick’s football may also shine through.

Limerick FC:
Injured: Garry Sheahan, Dave Ryan, Brian O’Callaghan, James O’Brien.
Doubtful: John Frost, Shane Tracy.
Suspended: None.

Salthill Devon:
Injured: Unavailable.
Doubtful: Unavailable.
Suspended: James Whelan, Paul McGee (Manager).

Referee: James McKell.
Paddy Power Odds: Limerick 1/20; Draw 7/1; Salthill 28/1.
Extratime prediction: Okay, time to be brutally honest here: Limerick 5-0 Salthill.