Limerick FC aim to end season on a high with victory over Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght.

Limerick FC face Shamrock Rovers on the final night of the SSE Airtricty League Premier Division season at Tallaght Stadium (kick-off 7.45 pm). The Shannonsiders will be hoping to consolidate their seventh place position in the league with at least a point against Stephen Bradley’s team.

Shamrock Rovers will be aiming to finish in third place ahead of challengers Derry City even though both clubs will already be competing in Europe next season due to Cork and Dundalk’s involvement in the FAI Cup final.

Limerick secured premier division safety last Friday night in a nervy encounter with Galway United which ended 2-2. The Super Blues were 2-0 up thanks to a Rodrigo Tosi penalty and a Chiedozie Ogbene goal. However, goals from Ronan Murray and an Eoin McCormack penalty hauled Galway back and in truth, the home side were lucky to draw the game. Murray also missed an earlier penalty for Galway.

Although manager Neil McDonald would have liked to be in a more comfortable position, he is happy that his team got over the line.

“we went and got the two goals to try and relax everybody and then we didn’t defend as well as we have done for the last few weeks. It was a bit of an anti-climax as we didn’t play as well as we could but a fantastic well done to everyone on getting the job done.”

McDonald is also pleased that his squad can approach a game without the same level of pressure.

“We’re really looking forward to the Shamrock Rovers game, to play a game without any pressure for the first time in quite a while. We will go and enjoy ourselves and show everybody what we are really about.”

Limerick captain Shane Duggan is doubtful for the game following his early substitution in last week’s game. Otherwise McDonald will have a full squad to choose from. With it being the final game of the season, it remains to be seen whether the former Blackpool manager will allow fringe players such as John O’Flynn, Peter Berki and Killian Broader a chance to start the game or at least feature at some point. However, a loss coupled with wins for Sligo and St. Patricks Athletic could see Limerick fall to ninth which would be far from favourable.

The club are unbeaten in five league games and have been improving under Neil McDonald in recent weeks. The pre-season recruitment will be vital for Limerick and keeping hold of the likes of Chiedozie Ogbene, Bastian Hery and Lee-J Lynch will be crucial.

Match Stats: Shamrock Rovers and Limerick have met on two occasions this season. The Shannonsiders snatched a draw in April as a late Rodrigo Tosi goal cancelled out Roberto Lopes opener for a 1-1 draw. Rovers enjoyed a comfortable 0-2 victory over Limerick at the Markets Field in August.

Limericks away league record against Shamrock Rovers is poor. In Tallaght, Rovers have won three and drawn two out of five meetings.

Overall, these two clubs have met on 131 occasions in league action. Rovers have the upper hand defeating their visitors by winning 68 games, losing 32 and drawing 31.