Limerick FC face high flying Waterford United in crucial Munster Derby.

Limerick FC welcome Waterford United to the Markets Field on Friday night in the second Munster derby of the season in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division (7.45 pm). Both sides enter the game in contrasting form as the visitors are currently third place in the league. The Shannonsiders fell to their second defeat in a week last Friday evening and are now in eight place. It is the final game in the first round of fixtures in the premier division.

It was a disappointing defeat for Tommy Barrett’s team against St. Patrick’s Athletic as Ian Bermingham’s second half header inflicted a second defeat in four days. St. Pats and Bohemians leapfrogged Limerick as a result. The hectic schedule was one of the factors in a lacklustre performance where Limerick failed to threaten Barry Murphy’s goal outside of a second half Darren Dennehy header.

Their hosts upped the tempo significantly in the second period as midfield trio Ryan Brennan, Jamie Lennon and James Doona led the charge. However, it was Limerick’s inability to deal with the pace and cleverness of full backs Ian Bermingham and Simon Madden which caused the most trouble on the evening.

The Super Blues will have to be more aggressive against their Munster rivals on Friday night if they are to avoid defeat. Despite Barry Maguire and Darren Dennehy returning to the squad last week, Danny Morrissey and Daniel Kearns remain doubtful ahead of the crucial clash. Mark O’Sullivan will once again miss out against his former club and he will be joined on the sidelines by Eoin Wearen.

Tommy Barrett spoke to the club’s official website ahead of the Waterford match and realises that his team are going through a difficult period.

“It’s a difficult period for us with injuries but hopefully we can get through it, get a result on Friday night and get players back over the next couple of weeks. We know we didn’t play enough football to win the game last week; we need to create more chances but also concentrate more on not conceding.”

Speaking about Friday’s opponents, Barrett is not surprised by the fast start made by the Blues,

““Waterford are flying it. We have watched them a few times. They’re a very good side. They have brought in some good players; some very good technical players but they are also a big physical side that can play. I’m not overly surprised by how well they have started, with the players that they have brought in. They seem to have gelled very quickly; they have got some excellent results and have been very impressive. But we can only concentrate on ourselves and we always go into games confident.”

SSE Airtricity League Premier Division, Richmond Park, Dublin 23/3/2018
St. Patrick’s Athletic vs Limerick
Limerick’s William Fitzgerald and James Doona of St Patrick’s Athletic
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

It is likely that Conor Ellis will retain his place as a lone striker. It has been an exceptionally frustrating period for the former Cork striker. He appears to be isolated and unsuitable to Limerick’s game plan. However, as Tommy Barrett stated recently, in the modern day, more is expected from a striker and Ellis must adapt. The home side will badly need Ellis to provide respite for his midfield and defenders in order to prevent the ball returning quickly to the opposition. Unfortunately, this has proven particularly difficult in the last two games.

The Markets Field outfit have been defensively solid from open play but the concession of goals from set-pieces is a worry. Out of the three goals conceded last week, two were penalty kicks and one was a free header from a free-kick. Considering the team is generally built to contain the opposition, it must be exceptionally frustrating for the Limerick management team that concentration levels have dropped in crucial moments.

Injury permitting, goalkeeper Brendan Clarke is likely to play behind an unchanged defence of Shaun Kelly, Tony Whitehead, Darren Dennehy and Billy Dennehy. Killian Cantwell and Cian Coleman have flourished in the majority of their appearances in midfield and even if Eoin Wearen was available for selection, it is almost certain that Cantwell has played himself into a starting role.

Barry Maguire was introduced in the second-half in Richmond Park and when fully fit, Barrett would hope to make the former Dutch underage international a regular starter. Due to the passive nature of last week’s performance, captain Shane Duggan had a quiet night. However, the experienced midfielder has improved his performances massively so far.

The midfield trio will have to be at their best to compete with the likes of Bastien Hery, Paul Keegan and Gavan Holohan. Hery plied his trade with Limerick last season and will be of particular interest to the home support. The Frenchman was undoubtedly Limerick’s best player in the final third of last season but opted to join Alan Reynolds side for the new campaign.

The Suirsiders have enjoyed a great return to the premier division after a ten year absence with five victories and two losses. Considering the two defeats were at the hands of Dundalk and Cork in tightly contested fixtures, it has been close to the best possible start for Alan Reynolds new look side.

In Courtney Duffus, Waterford appear to have signed a real gem. As important goals against Shamrock Rovers and Sligo Rovers suggest, the striker is a handful due to his pace and power. Due to Ishmaeil Akinade’s recent absence, Duffus’ signing has been timely.

Duffus has one advantage over his opposite number Conor Ellis as he always has a partner up front. Waterford play with a tight diamond in midfield. The favoured four are Paul Keegan, Bastien Hery, Gavan Holohan and Stanley Aborah. Full-backs John Kavanagh and Dylan Barnett provide the width for the premier division newcomers and are vital to the Waterford game plan.

Goalkeeper Laurence Vigoroux was signed from owner Lee Power’s English club Swindon on loan and has made a big impression at the RSC with some fans stating he is the best shot-stopper in the league. Despite the experience of Kenny Browne, the pairing of David Webster and Garry Comerford have excelled when playing together and the presence of the former Cork centre-back is not essential to Alan Reynolds.

Unlike his opposition manager, Reynolds has a squad depth which is the envy of the bottom four sides in the league.

When the sides met in the 2016 first division, Limerick enjoyed two big victories on their way to lifting the league trophy that season. The last time the sides met at the Markets Field, Limerick ran out 7-2 winners against the then Roddy Collins managed Waterford. However, the visitors will be a different proposition on Friday night.