League Preview: Limerick -v- St Patrick's Athletic

• Dave Donnelly
• Fri, May 11 2018




LIMERICK

Limerick host St Patrick's Athletic in a game that's been moved forward 24 hours to Friday (kick-off 7.45pm) to avoid a clash with Pike Rovers' FAI Junior Cup final.

Last Saturday saw the Blues go down to a narrow 2-1 defeat to the Champions Cork City at Turner's Cross.

Danny Morrissey put Limerick 1-0 up with a well-taken finish but goals from Graham Cummins and Josh O'Hanlon in either half saw the Rebel Army to victory.

“It'll be a difficult game,” manager Tommy Barrett told the club's media team.

“They're a really good side. They're back off a good result last week against Rovers. They've some very good players all over the pitch and they play good football.

"If we can get a good crowd we'll be delighted. It makes a big difference when there is a good positive atmosphere and when there's a good crowd.

“We will see if the Friday night makes any difference. Hopefully, it will. We're looking forward to it."

Limerick have yet to provide team news but Shaun Kelly is likely to mss out again having sat the past two games out with a knee injury.

 

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC

St Patrick's Athletic bounced back from a heavy 5-0 defeat to Dundalk with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Shamrock Rovers at Richmond Park last week.

Kevin Toner and Killian Brennan scored in the second half after Rovers had seen Joey O'Brien given a straight red first half before the break.

"After losing to Dundalk, we wanted to bounce back against Shamrock Rovers last Friday so to pick up a win was a huge boost to everyone,” manager Liam Buckley told the club's official website.

“It was a reminder to us all of the performance levels we need to put in and what we can achieve when we do that. We need to now apply that standard again against Limerick on Friday.”

"We had a narrow win over Limerick in Inchicore a number of weeks ago so we are expecting another tough game.

“Limerick were good last week in Cork and only narrowly lost so we know they will be strong again this week."

Christy Fagan is in line to make his return following injury, but Owen Garvan will be assessed closer to kick-off.

 

Referee: Ray Matthews

 

MATCH STATS

In their one previous meeting so far this season, the Saints won 1-0 at Richmond Park thanks to Ian Bermingham's header from a set-piece.

The sides' three league meetings last season saw the Blues go unbeaten, drawing 2-2 twice, while goals from Tony Whitehead and John O'Flynn earned a 2-0 win in Dublin.

 

BETTING

Limerick 4/1; Draw 13/5; St Patrick's Athletic 4/6.

PREDICTION

Limerick 1 – 1 St Patrick's Athletic

 

Limerick

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Shaun Kelly (knee).

Suspended: None.

St Patrick's Athletic

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Owen Garvan.

Suspended: None.