Limerick welcome Bohemians to the Markets Field

Limerick FC welcome Bohemians to the Markets Field this evening for their third game of the Airtricity League Premier Division season (kick-off 7.45).

It is the first game in a big week for the Shannonsiders who host the Gypsies and Finn Harps before finishing the week with a long trip to Donegal for the re-arranged fixture with Derry City.

Limerick head into the game after a narrow 1-0 defeat to Dundalk on Friday night. Despite the result, there were plenty of positives to take from Limerick’s display. Dundalk have been the outstanding team in the league for the past three seasons and many teams have crumbled in Oriel Park.

However, it took a great strike from Patrick McEleney to earn the victory for the Lilywhites. The Super Blues pushed hard for an equaliser but were denied by a stubborn Dundalk defence.

It is expected that Ian Turner and Bastien Hery will be recalled to the starting 11 for this home tie after being omitted in favor of Paul O’Conor and Stephen Kenny last week. The home side are still expected to be without Shane Tracey, John O’Flynn and Dave O’Connor for the clash.

The visit of the Dalymount Park outfit would surely have been targeted by Martin Russell and his coaching staff as a winnable game especially with the slow start made by Keith Long’s men. However, Limerick must recapture similar form to that of the Sligo game to emerge victorious from this contest.

The Dubliners will arrive at the Markets Field in bouyant mood after a terrific comeback to defeat Bray Wanderers on Friday night. Bray led 0-2 but two goals from Dinny Corcoran either side of a Keith Ward strike provided the victory for the home side.

It was a much-needed win for Bohs who had lost both of their opening games to Derry City and rivals Shamrock Rovers. Bohs will be without long term absentees Ishmael Akinade and Eoin Wearen but will hope that experienced players such as Lorcan Fitzgerald and captain Derek Pender can provide much needed steal which has been missing from the Bohemians rearguard at the start of the season.

Bohemians boss Keith Long is anticipating a tough challenge ahead of the club’s second visit to the Garryowen venue. Following
Friday’s win, he spoke to www.bohsfc.ie and said, “we want to build on Fridays result now but we know that Limerick are a quality team. They’ve invested a significant amount of money in building a good squad so it’s going to be another tough game for us.”

The last meeting between these two sides in 2015 at the Markets Field was a cracking game as Limerick came from 2-3 down with ten men to win 4-3. That game marked the beginning of the Super Blues revival in their attempt to avoid relegation.

The loyal Limerick support will be hoping for a similar outcome tomorrow evening.

Referee: Anthony Buttimer
Previous Meetings:
August 8 2015: Limerick FC 4-3 Bohemians
May 8 2015: Bohemians 2-1 Limerick
March 7 2015: Limerick FC 0-3 Bohemians
Limerick FC:
Injured: Shane Tracy, Dave O’Connor, John O’Flynn
Suspended: None
Bohemians:
Injured: Ishmael Akinade, Eoin Wearen
Suspended: None