Limerick FC look to continue good form against Galway

Limerick FC travel to Galway on Friday evening to take on struggling Galway United at Eamon Deacy Park (7.45).

Both sides enter the game with contrasting recent results as Limerick FC have won three consecutive matches while Galway are currently second from bottom with one win and four defeats from the opening five games.

Last week, the Shannonsiders continued their impressive home form with a 2-0 victory over Athlone Town. Goals from Shane Tracy and Connor Ellis provided the victory and sent Limerick to second in the division.

It was the side’s third clean sheet in four home games and the experience in defence has shown with the likes of Shane Tracy, Shaun Kelly and Robbie Williams leading from the front.

Tracy was full of praise for the youngers players in the back five.

“There’s plenty of experience there. In fairness I think Jack Brady and Killian Brouder have been excellent too. Organisation wise I think we are very good and that helps all round.”

Manager Tommy Barrett echoed Tracy’s sentiments and has been pleased with Brouder’s performances and hopes his side can continue to perform on Friday.

“I thought Killian Brouder was excellent. He’s benefiting from playing alongside Robbie Williams and Shane Tracy.

“We aren’t going to get carried away and we will take it game by game. We are happy with results although I think we can improve our performances and I think the lads know that as well.”

Sttiker Connor Ellis has now scored three in three games and looks like a handful for any first division defender when his confidence levels are high.

The only new worry for Tommy Barrett heading into the game is the reported absence of Sean Russell who was helped off on Friday night following a clash on the half way line. Also Will Fitzgerald will remain side-lined.

With both Fitzgerald and Russell out, it is likely that Will’s namesake Aaron Fitzgerald will get another chance to start at left wing.

Although Barrett tinkered with a 3-5-2 formation during Fitzgerald’s last game against Cobh with the youngster at left-back, it was quickly switched to a 4-4-2 with the more experienced Shane Tracy at left-back.

Fitzgerald showed great vision to set up Kieran Hanlon in the Cobh game and possesses a lot of pace to trouble defenders. However, following a decent cameo on Friday including a superb through ball to set up Ellis for the second goal, Colm Walsh-O’Loughlen will be fighting for a starting place as well.

Although Galway have started poorly, they still have one of the league’s most prolific strikers in Vinny Faherty. Limerick supporters will know Faherty well as he almost helped steer Limerick to safety in 2015 with a great run of scoring in the final third of the season.

Faherty will provide both Brouder and Williams with a different type of challenge on Friday from recent weeks.

Although Williams dealt superbly with the physicality of the imposing Rob Manley in Dublin a fortnight ago, Faherty will not be bullied so easily by the centre-back duo and he has a nack at being in the right place at the right time if afforded space in the box.

Galway have lost all three games at Eamon Deacy Park this season and have conceded six goals in the process. Stephen Walsh and Marc Ludden are two experienced players at this level but the Tribesmen possess a very young squad, even younger than Limerick FC’s squad.

Former Limerick striker Jeff McGowan has appeared a number of times from the bench and last season’s top performer Conor Barry also starts for Alan Murphy’s side but otherwise, the squad is largely unknown in Airtricity League circles.

The Super Blues last faced Galway in the Airtricity League Premier Division in 2017. Then managed by Neil McDonald, Limerick failed to beat Galway in the league with two draws and a defeat at Eamon Deacy Park which proved to be the final appearance of Shaun Kelly and Robbie Williams for the club under McDonald.

However, in August of that year Limerick advanced to the semi-final of the FAI Cup at the Galway venue following a 2-1 win through goals from Rodrigo Tosi and Shane Duggan.