EA Sports Cup action for Limerick FC

Limerick FC travel to St. Colman’s Park on Tuesday night to take on Cobh Ramblers in the EA Sports Cup first round (7.45).

Limerick will be looking to gain revenge for last years surprise defeat at the hands of Cobh in the same round of the competition. A late headed goal from centre-back Ben O’Riordan gave the Ramblers the victory over their then premier division opponents.

Limerick and Cobh had fielded strong sides at the Markets Field that night but it remains to be seen if Tommy Barrett and Stephen Henderson will risk many first team players. Also, with both teams plying their trade in the first division and scheduled to meet in the league in a week’s time, neither will want to give much away.

Barrett has a selection headache as he is without Will Fitzgerald and Killian Brouder. The likes of Robbie Williams, Shaun Kelly and Jack Brady are vital to the team and players that the Limerick man would like to rest.

However, on the other hand with such a young and small squad, Limerick can ill afford to field a number of inexperienced players at the one time in Cobh. The likes of Colm Walsh-O’Loughlen and Tommy Holland are likely to feature.

Both teams have decent recent records in the competition. Cobh made the final last season only to be defeated 3-1 by Derry City. It was the club’s first major final in their history.

Also, Limerick were finalists in 2016 but were beaten 4-1 at a packed Markets Field by St. Patrick’s Athletic despite taking the lead through former player Lee-J Lynch.

The Shannonsiders last won the competition with a team of local players very similar to this group in 2002, under the stewardship of Tommy Barrett’s former manager Noel O’Connor.