Limerick FC opposition watch: Drogheda United

Limerick FC host Drogheda United in the third game of the Airtricity League First Division season at the Markets Field on Friday night (7.45).

Limerick have yet to register a goal or a win in their opening two games and will be desperate to do so on Friday. Their opponents have had a mixed start to the campaign, recording a 4-0 win over Cobh but losing 3-0 away to Longford Town.

Limerick manager Tommy Barrett will be hoping his side can cash in on the Longford defeat but Drogheda will be a wounded animal travelling to Shannonside.

The County Louth outfit enjoyed a good season last year when the club finished in fourth place, winning over half of their league games. Drogs defeated Shelbourne in the first round of the play-off but eventually lost out to current premier division side Finn Harps over two legs afterwards.

In the off season, big spending Shelbourne attempted to recruit current Drogheda manager Tim Clancy following his successful first season in management and the departure of Owen Heary.

However, Clancy remained loyal to the club who gave him his first chance in management although it is unknown if Clancy would have been aware of the budget that would have been available to him at Shelbourne at that stage.

The Boynesiders away form was mixed last season. Despite winning six from 13, they also lost 4 and drew 3. They had both the third best goals for record in the division and the third best goals against record in the division.

This season, Clancy has brought in six new faces including Thomas Byrne from St. Patrick’s Athletic and Cian Kavanagh and Mark Hughes from Shelbourne. Adam Wixted has also returned from Sligo Rovers.

Hughes adds a wealth of experience to the midfield area along with captain Sean Brennan who will be well known to Limerick supporters through his time at Shelbourne and Monaghan.

Losing promising youngster William Hondermarck to Norwich as well as Richie Purdy and Colm Deasy to Bray and Finn Harps respectively was a blow to United.

Thomas Byrne’s ill-discipline has been well documented but if Clancy can manage the striker, he could easily reach double figures in the first division. Chris Lyons is another player who has started the season well along with Mark Doyle who grabbed a brace on the opening night.

The expected return of Killian Brouder to partner Robbie Williams is a welcome one although it will be a baptism of fire for the academy graduate. Both centre-backs reading of the game will need to be exemplary to deal with the pace of Byrne and possibly Chris Lyons.

Due to Shelbourne’s cash injection, Bray’s recruitment drive and Longford’s ambition, Drogheda have effectively been written off in many corners. It would be a silly mistake to make. United Park is a very tough place to play as Cobh experienced and it was the glue that held their promotion push together last season.

There is plenty of creativity present in this Drogheda side through the aforementioned Brennan, Lyons, Doyle and Byrne. They will be aiming to start quickly to get over any hangover from last week’s defeat so Limerick must be switched on.

Darren Murphy’s aggression in midfield coupled with hard-working Jason Hughes for the Shannonsiders will be key to stopping the supply to the pacey front line.

Drogheda’s addition of defender Luke McNally from St. Patrick’s Athletic on loan was a shrewd piece of business as he is highly thought of at Inchicore having just signed a two year deal with the club. With the relatively small budget Clancy is working off at United Park, he has done a great job up to now.

Limerick’s start has been unkind with three of the expected top four played in the first four games. If the Super Blues can replicate the performance shown against Longford, there is no reason why a positive result can’t be achieved. Tommy Barrett will be hoping that the likes of Karl O’Sullivan and Conor Ellis can repay the faith shown in them by finding the net.