Back to league duty for Super Blues after cup victory

Limerick FC welcome Athlone Town to the Markets Field tonight in what will be the club’s second last home game of the season.

Limerick have four games remaining including trips to Galway and Shelbourne and a final home game against Wexford FC.

Last Friday night, Limerick FC overcame a stubborn challenge from Munster Senior League side Cobh Wanderers to advance to the last 16 of the FAI Senior Cup. Youngster Edmond O’Dwyer was introduced as a second half substitute and blasted home the winner.

Tommy Barrett’s already depleted squad had to deal without the services of injured trio Clyde O’Connell, Shane Tracy and Shaun Kelly for the trip to St. Colman’s Park.

The club’s reward for securing victory was an away tie against Airtricity League Premier Division side Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds.

The last 16 game will be played on the weekend of the 23rd to the 25th of August. Sligo will be clear favourites for the tie and currently lie sixth in the Premier Division.

However, when the Shannonsiders were in the top flight last season, they picked up four points against Sligo.

Limerick natives Sam Warde and Ronan Coughlan will be lining out against their hometown club for the Bit O’Red.

Firstly, the Super Blues will be aiming to finish the league season strongly. Outside of the Cobh Wanderers cup victory it has been a very disappointing period having lost their previous four league games to Bray, Drogheda, Cobh Ramblers and Cabinteely.

Limerick have also lost the services of Sean McSweeney who has left the club to travel to America.

Barrett will be without Tomas O’Connor for the game on Friday night as he carries a suspension over after his sending off in the 3-0 defeat to Cabinteely. Also, Clyde O’Connell will possibly be sidelined for the rest of the season.

The Markets Field outfit have faced Athlone on two occasions already this season. They came out on top at the Garryowen venue with a 2-0 victory through goals from Shane Tracy and the now departed Connor Ellis.

At the Athlone Town Stadium, it was a much more competitive affair as Limerick had to work hard to earn a 1-1 draw. In truth, the Shannonsiders were lucky to escape with a draw from the away encounter.

Athlone have since lost dangerman Dean Williams to First Division rivals Bray Wanderers and currently sit in second bottom on 16 points which is still a marked improvement on last year’s last place finish with one win all season. The game kicks off at 7:45pm.