A look back on a rollercoaster decade for Limerick FC’s Shane Tracy

By Tom Clancy

29-year-old Shane Tracy will mark 10 years in the blue of Limerick this Saturday when Limerick FC face a Shane Tracy XI at Markets Field. The full-back has served Limerick since a loan move in 2008 and has remained an integral part of the set-up since. Sporting Limerick takes a look back at some of the numbers and key moments behind a rollercoaster decade.

It has been well documented that Tracy moved from Wembley Rovers to Arsenal during his mid-teens. Shane joined sister Yyvone in London, who was a magnificent servant for Arsenal ladies, having moved to N5 in 2000. Shane returned home to Limerick before signing for Galway United after a brief spell as a welder!

Shane made his bow for Limerick in a 1-0 away defeat to Monaghan United on March 7th 2008. A brace of late penalties against Wexford Youths showed the calmness the 19-year-old had – the game was tied 0-0 inside the last five minutes. Injury disrupted Shane’s loan-spell and also brought an end to his time with Galway United – the loan spell ended with 3 goals in 5 starts.

Manager Pat Scully arrived in 2009, and Tracy landed a contract from the Dubliner. Tracy, at this point was still plying his trade in midfield, though Scully eventually migrated him to left-back. Pat O’Sullivan arrived during the campaign to keep the club in existence, while on the pitch, the midfielder notched 8 league goals in 28 outings.

2010 saw Limerick move from 6th to 5th as a competitive first division saw both Derry City and Cork City amongst the regular faces. A 2-2 FAI Cup draw with Sporting Fingal marked an unwanted milestone, Tracy picked up two yellow cards, which to date is his only dismissal for the Shannonsiders. Fingal won the replay on penalties. However, 8 goals and just a single missed game showed the trust another former Gunner, Scully, had in him.

Limerick narrowly missed out on promotion in 2011, as Cork City, Shelbourne and Monaghan United all joined the top table, Limerick finished just a point below the Ulster side after losing just four games all season. He managed 5 goals in 17 starts including a smashing free-kick just minutes into Limerick’s first home game against Salthill Devon.

Tracy and co finally landed their promotion in 2012 when Limerick won the league with time to spare. Playing at full-back, the number 11 found the net 10 times, which tied with teammate and striker Rory Gaffney. Sean Maguire, then of Waterford United, joint-top scored with 13.

He managed 9/9 from 12 yards while also slotting a free-kick in Donegal against Finn Harps. At the back, Limerick conceded just 20 league goals showing that Tracy had contributed to a quality defence. Limerick had five players in the PFAI First Division team of the year; Tracy, Pat Purcell, Stephen Bradley and former Irish international, Joe Gamble. Tracy missed just two league outings all season.

3,578 arrived at Thomond Park for Limerick’s return to the top-flight against Cork City. Tracy had moved back into midfield under Stuart Taylor after full-back Robbie Williams had arrived during the winter. The Scot guided Limerick to 7th in what was regarded as a good season, Tracy meanwhile notched 6 times in 23 appearances, including three free-kicks in five days. The first, a peach to equalise against Bohemians in Thomond Park, the other two, of high quality as Limerick romped to a 4-0 victory over Bray Wanderers.

2014 was a season disrupted by injury. Despite this Tracy was directly involved in some of the more bizarre incidents of that League of Ireland campaign. Firstly, having rarely missed a penalty previous saw Athlone Town midfielder Sean Brennan deny him. In early May, after Barry Ryan was dismissed, Tracy donned the gloves and denied former teammate Sean O’Connor of Shamrock Rovers. This was to be in vein, as Jason McGuiness scored the rebound. Finally we saw Tracy scoring direct from a corner in a much-needed 4-1 win over Drogheda United – perhaps not as extraordinary as the other two incidents, but one which highlights the technique in his left-foot.

Injury prevented early involvement during Martin Russell’s tenure in the second half of 2014, as the Dubliner steered Limerick to a mid-table finish after concerns over relegation midseason. However, he did play in the final few games having recovered from a bone infection.

The following season brought some incredible highs and crashing lows for Shane and his teammates. Having missed the early part of the season Tracy managed 27 outings as Limerick found form late, before eventually suffering play-off heartbreak in Ballybofey. Tracy has gone on record recently saying that the 4-3 victory over Bohemians was his favourite career game, where he also scored a penalty. He raided forward to notch from open play against Longford, as the Markets Field finally felt like home to players and fans.

Shane picked up another league winners medal last season, as Limerick cantered to the league title. A major milestone for the former Wembley Rovers man was his 50th Limerick goal. This was notched with a free-kick against Cabinteely, something he has become well-known for in the League of Ireland. In all he has now found the net 51 times in competitive outings. A 4-1 defeat to St. Patrick’s Athletic in the EA Sports Cup Final served as a double blow, as he was left out in-place of Sean Russell. But ultimately, Tracy would get his hands on a League winner’s medal as Limerick lost just once in 28 outings.

Tracy’s latest dead ball masterpiece in Limerick’s 3-2 comeback friendly win against Charlton Athletic. Video courtesy of spiritofvoice.

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In 2017, Limerick fans have seen less of Tracy than perhaps they’d have liked, Tommy Robson owned the full-back spot until the end of his loan, while Neil McDonald has given Dave O’Connor a new role at full-back. Tracy, however, returned to the line-up last week to help his side to a FAI Cup semi-final. He has made just five appearances this season, not helped by an early season back injury, but it appears he is prepared to be patient and wait for more opportunities.

Limerick FC’s Shane Tracy. SSEAirtricity League Premier Division, Limerick FC V Shamrock Rovers. 15/08/2017. Markets Field, Garryowen, Limerick. Credit: Conor Wyse.

In all, has made 219 starts for Limerick across League, FAI Cup and League Cup, his 24 sub appearances make it 243 games and 51 goals for the Super Blues.

Shane Tracy sees his testimonial take place this Saturday at the Markets Field, with a 6.30pm kick off. Joe Gamble, Pat Purcell, Barry Ryan, Derek McCarthy and Willie Boland are just some of the names Shane has included in his XI for this unique event.

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