Limerick FC entertain Galway United at the Markets Field

Limerick FC will look to extend their unbeaten run to four games when they host Galway United at the Markets Field on Saturday (6.30). The game has been switched from a Friday to a Saturday due to Ireland’s European qualifier against Denmark on Friday night.

Last weekend, Limerick played out a 1-1 draw away to Athlone Town in Athlone. The home side put the Shannonsiders under big pressure early on and were rewarded when sloppy defending from the Limerick defence allowed Kealen Dillon to strike into the bottom corner of the net from the edge of the box.

The visitors improved in the second half and equalised midway through when Karl O’Sullivan played a perfectly waited through ball to Connor Ellis who drove forward and slotted a shot underneath Aaron Myles.

Limerick substitute Adam Foley almost capitalised on hesitant defending from Paddy Kelly and Aaron Myles but the goalkeeper recovered just in time to save the day.

Limerick manager Tommy Barrett admitted his side’s first half performance was well below par but was pleased with the second half display

In the first half we were poor and they were good. They would have been disappointed that they didn’t go further ahead.

I thought in the second half we were the better team and they started getting tired because they had played good football to be fair to them.

We got used to the pitch and our fitness levels showed near the end. Connor probably could have had two goals but he finished his second one.

Galway arrive to the Markets Field off the back of a 0-0 draw at home to Cabinteely. The Tribesmen have been showing signs of improvement in recent weeks with two defeats in five games despite facing four of the top five sides in the division.

Alan Murphy’s men are currently third from bottom and 12 points adrift of Limerick in league standings. The sides met once already this season with Limerick picking up a 1-0 victory at Eamon Deacy Park courtesy of a solitary strike from Sean McSweeney from close range.

However, Tommy Barrett will be without the services of Darren Murphy this week as the tenacious midfielder has accumulated five yellow cards this season and will serve a one match suspension as a result. Will Fitzgerald is still a few weeks away from returning to first team action also.

Colm Walsh-O’Loughlen impressed upon his early substitution last Friday night and will be pushing for a start this week. However, Barrett admitted that the 4G Astroturf pitch in Athlone did not suit target man Kieran Hanlon and considering how effective Hanlon has been for the majority of the season, he is most likely to start.

With, Murphy suspended, left-back Shane Tracy could revert to a central midfield role next to Jason Hughes with Aaron Fitzgerald coming in at left-back. Fitzgerald has impressed on occasion this season but a recent injury prevented the youngster from getting a run of games in the team.

Striker Adam Foley also looked dangerous for Limerick when he was brought on in the last ten minutes and Barrett is now happy with the options in his squad as a lot of his young substitutes have played recently including Lee Devitt, Ger Barry and Tomas O’Connor.

The Shannonsiders are still in sixth position in the league and currently trail leaders Shelbourne by six points. Limerick’s record against the bottom four sides has been very consistent but Barrett feels that the club’s home from against the likes of Shelbourne and Longford will be vital if they are to keep a play-off push going.

“Getting the 3 points at home against the likes of Shelbourne and Longford will be vital for us. We have been unlucky away against Longford and Drogheda but Shelbourne beat us well.

We have to be better than what we were tonight against Galway next week because it’s another tough challenge for us. They are a physical side with some very good young players. Vinny Faherty is a handful for them as we know but we have to go and give it our best shot against them.”