Limerick FC 2017 Season Review

Pre-season Preparations:

The dust had barely settled on the promotion campaign of 2016 when the Limerick board and coaching staff turned their attention to the upcoming premier division return. Recruitment was always going to be vital, considering three teams were to be relegated from a 12-team league.

The Airtricity League transfer frenzy was in full flow as well as the ridiculous transfer rumours which accompany it. The club secured the signatures of former players Dean Clarke and Ian Turner who had points to prove after two poor seasons at Shamrock Rovers and Cork City respectively. Both players were key in the final series of games in 2015 as Limerick almost completed the great escape. However, both players were also part of the side that endured a torrid 22 game winless streak in the same campaign.

Experienced goalkeeper Brendan Clarke arrived from St. Patricks Athletic and centre-back David O’Connor, who Russell worked with previously at UCD, joined from Shamrock Rovers. Free agents Rodrigo Tosi and Bastien Hery were late arrivals in pre-season. Possibly the most exciting arrival was that of talented winger Chiedozie Ogbene, who chose a move to Shannonside over staying with his hometown club Cork City.

With Shane Tracy struggling with injury, Limerick secured a three-month loan deal for left-back Tommy Robson from Sunderland. The retained players from 2015 had a lot to prove at premier division level. With eight new players joining in total, excitement grew among a section of Limerick supporters that European football was a distinct possibility.

The season’s beginning and the end of the Martin Russell era:

The anticipation, excitement and demanding work culminated in a superb opening night at the Markets Field on February 24th with the visit of Sligo Rovers. The pitch at the Garryowen venue, which was voted the best in the Airtricity League in 2016, was immaculate.

It was a perfect advertisement for League of Ireland football under the floodlights. 2,357 spectators witnessed Limerick defeat Sligo 5-1. New signing Rodrigo Tosi stole the show scoring a debut hattrick. The front three of Dean Clarke, Ian Turner and Tosi looked dangerous with every attack.

The Super Blues played some attractive football much to the delight of everybody present. Martin Russell’s approach would certainly face sterner tests in the future. Sligo appeared to be quite surprised by Limerick’s ultra-football approach.

Following a valiant 1-0 defeat at Oriel Park against champions Dundalk, Russell’s men faced a crucial week and what proved to be a defining week for the Dubliner as his motion towards the exit gathered pace.

Bohemians and Finn Harps would both make the trip to Limerick in the space of six days. Both visiting clubs were expected to spend the season battling at the wrong end of the table. However, Bohemians carried out a thoroughly professional job on Limerick. Keith Long challenged Martin Russell’s football style by asking his front men to press high which forced elementary errors as well as panic in the home side’s defence. The Gypsies left Limerick with a deserved 0-1 win.

The visit of Ollie Horgan’s Finn Harps was going to test the mental strength of the Shannonsiders. Renowned for their defensive approach, Horgan’s men had been the architects of Limerick’s demise in 2015. Sean Houston and his teammates replicated Bohs approach and pressed high, forcing a mistake from Freddy Hall to allow Harps to score.

At this point, supporters appeared to have run out of patience with Russell’s insistence on playing the ball from defensive positions, which the players were uncomfortable with also. Despite a late Rodrigo Tosi equaliser, the sense of frustration around the Markets Field was clear for all to see.

The players responded with a performance very unlike the team under Russell as they dug deep to win 0-1 against high flying Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds to clinch an all too rare clean sheet. Just a week later, a naive performance against table toppers and Munster rivals Cork City in front of a bumper crowd resulted in a 0-3 defeat and it was to prove the final straw for the Limerick board. Just a few days later, Russell and chairman Pat O’Sullivan parted company by mutual consent.

As is the case with every manager, it was his recruitment, or lack of it, which cost Martin Russell dearly. Bastien Hery was way off the pace when he arrived and took until the final third of the season to show fitness improvements. Ian Turner and Dean Clarke failed to re-create their form from the final 12 games of 2015 and were subsequently in and out of the team in the initial stages.

The management remained loyal to Freddy Hall and consigned new arrival Brendan Clarke to the substitutes bench which would prove to be a mistake. However, it was the lack of concentration on the defensive aspect of the game which was Russell’s downfall.

The players were clearly uncomfortable in being asked to play short passes from defence to midfield. Furthermore, the lack of defensive signings which often left under 19 player Killian Brouder or in some cases the now departed Paul O’Conor as the only defensive cover, was football suicide.

Willie Boland takes temporary charge:

With no permanent replacement in place, academy director Willie Boland took temporary charge of the team following Russell’s departure. Boland made it clear from an early stage that Limerick would attempt to play in the right areas under his guidance which was a welcome change from the approach adopted by the previous regime.

The players welcomed the change and in away draws with Derry City and Shamrock Rovers, Limerick appeared to be better prepared to grind out results when needed. Chiedozie Ogbene became the focal point of attacks under Boland.

An unbeaten five match run including two wins and two draws prompted many Limerick supporters to enter the former Cardiff City midfielder into the hat for the managerial position on a full-time basis. Boland strongly re-iterated that such a move would not occur as the club stepped up their search for a new manager.
After a 1-1 home draw with Derry City, rumours circulated that a permanent appointment was imminent.

Neil McDonald unveiled as new manager

In a year when Limerick FC featured briefly on Sky Sports due to the rise of former manager Sam Allardyce to the England national manager’s hot seat, it was Allardyce’s long-time ex-assistant manager Neil McDonald who was surprisingly appointed as the club’s new manager on the 18th of May.

McDonald became heavily linked with the job in the week leading up to the announcement but not before the media were convinced that former Leyton Orient boss Kevin Nugent was set to be unveiled. McDonald was well known for spells as assistant manager at premier league clubs West Ham, Blackburn Rovers and Hull City.

The Newcastle born manager had three jobs as a manager including spells at Carlisle United and Blackpool. A 2-and-a-half-year deal was agreed, and Limerick chairman Pat O’Sullivan afforded McDonald the opportunity to appoint his own assistant manager. Eric Kinder would not arrive for almost two months.

During the opening press conference at the Markets Field, McDonald stated his desire to take the club into Europe. Although his optimism and ambition was widely admired, a lack of knowledge of the league coupled with the current playing staff suggested that preserving their premier division status was the priority.

An 0-3 defeat at home to champions Dundalk in his opening game in charge, provided McDonald with an insight into the gap between the top two sides and the rest of the league. After two more wins and a defeat, McDonald adopted a 5-3-2 formation when the Super Blues visited Turner’s Cross with disastrous consequences.

Despite the presence of three centre-backs, Sean Maguire was still allowed to rise highest to score Cork’s first. Shane Duggan was surprisingly fielded at left-back but the captain endured a tough night as he was left exposed against Karl Shephard. Following the 4-1 hammering, the new manager opted to scrap the formation permanently.

After a 3-1 defeat to Galway United in Eamon Deacy Park, big changes would be made to the Limerick squad. Fan favourites Shaun Kelly, Robbie Williams and Paul O’Conor were transfer-listed and swiftly departed much to the bemusement of a large section of the Limerick support. Ian Turner and Chris Mulhall had already been allowed to leave.

Henry Cameron, Peter Berki and Joe Crowe arrived in July. Fixtures were not kind to Limerick and two consecutive 3-0 defeats to Derry and Dundalk dragged the team closer to the relegation zone. Limerick also went on a three game goalless run during this period.

The pressure was building after a 0-2 defeat to Shamrock Rovers. The narrow 4-4-2 formation was stifling Limerick in attack as support and delivery to Rodrigo Tosi was limited. Throughout this period, the silly goals Limerick conceded would have infuriated the management team.

McDonald was painted as a negative manager and heavily criticised for his squad management by a section of the support. However, the club and the supporters had previously complained about Martin Russell’s overly adventurous and rather naïve style.

Unfortunately for McDonald, individual defensive errors were costing him dearly. Perhaps victory over Cork City at the Markets Field in which Limerick’s defensive shape and attitude was commendable, vindicated the decision to make wholesale changes to the squad and system.

Performances in the final five league games, which produced three wins, one draw and a final day defeat at Shamrock Rovers, were certainly much improved particularly from the defensive side which is one of the main reasons for hiring McDonald.

On top of that, a run to the semi-final of the Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup which resulted in a narrow 1-0 defeat to the eventual champions and double winners Cork City is another reason to be positive about McDonald’s tenure thus far.

The Future:

While Limerick finished the campaign strongly, ultimately there will be a lot of upheaval on Shannonside during the off-season. You sense that Neil McDonald is far from finished altering his squad. Joe Crowe has returned to Norwich and Cork pair John O’Flynn and Stephen Kenny have already departed.

It is expected that Peter Berki and Henry Cameron may follow suit as both have struggled to adapt to life in the Airtricity League Premier Division. Rodrigo Tosi has never committed to any one club for more than a year which indicates Limerick will be no different.

Chiedozie Ogbene has been heavily linked with a move to England; although he could certainly benefit from another year in this league. It is imperative that Limerick keep hold of Brendan Clarke, Bastien Hery and Lee-J Lynch but that remains to be seen. Furthermore, we know that Freddy Hall and Tony Whitehead will be at the club next season.

Chiedozie Ogbene was one of Limerick’s bright lights this season.

In defence, Limerick need to acquire a natural pacey left-back as well as a dominant centre-back. Furthermore, the club must prioritise at least one winger as Stephen Kenny’s departure and the rumours surrounding Ogbene leave Limerick very light in that department.

Even if Rodrigo Tosi does remain at the club, another centre forward would be needed. Barry McNamee has been named as a possible arrival from Derry City and he would be a welcome addition. Limerick lacked a threat from midfield on many occasions last season and McNamee is renowned for his impressive scoring ratio from this position.

One thing is certain, Neil McDonald has shown that he is not afraid to make changes as shown in the mid-season transfer window. He does not shy away from responsibility but the former Blackpool boss has one of the busiest off-season’s of his career ahead of him.