‘The future is still very bright’

LIMERICK FC manager Pat Scully was delighted by the Super Blues 2-1 win over Mervue United last weekend and is now eagerly looking forward to this Friday night’s clash with Athlone Town at Jackman Park (7.45pm).


Scully signed a new two-year contract with the League of Ireland First Division club last week and although he was annoyed by the penalty awarded against Bobby Tier in the second half against Mervue United the overall performance of the Super Blues, featuring goals from Darly Kavanagh and Shane Tracy, pleased the Dubliner.
“Yeah, it was good to get the win especially after a few bad results at home,” Pat Scully told Leader Sport.
“Our first half performance was very good and we played really well. We were not as good in the second half, but we certainly deserved to win the game. The penalty we conceded was a bit of a mystery since we didn’t know what it was for - the linesman and the fourth official both gave us different reasons for why it was given.
“We’ve had a difficult few weeks and it was hard on the players to get beaten heavily at home by (Sporting) Fingal and Longford, but we just haven’t had time to settle down at all.
“Now we need to stay clear of injuries - every week we’ve been missing at least 10 players through injury.
“It’s important now that we stay fit and build on this win.”
Limerick FC have collided with Athlone Town on two occasions already this season - on March 20 Athlone held on for a nil-all draw at Jackman Park while Limerick, thanks to goals from Shane Tracy and Paul Cummins, beat Town 2-0 at Lissywoollen on June 5 last.
Two wins from their opening brace of league games against Mervue United and Kildare County propelled Athlone to the top of the league, but that 100 per cent record proved utterly deceiving with Athlone only managing to add two more wins in the ensuing 22 league games against Longford Town and Kildare County - Athlone last won a game on May 30 against the Thoroughbreds, have earned just six points from the last 33 on offer and drew 2-2 at home to Kildare County last weekend.
Athlone’s poor form suggests Limerick FC as hot favourites to beat the Westmeath side on Friday night, but Pat Scully isn’t worried by such expectation.
“I don’t mind supporters expecting us to win,” Pat Scully explained.
“That’s a good thing. We’ve a good team and we’re capable of beating anyone in the league. But with all the injuries we just have not been given the opportunity to go out and do that. The future is still very bright and the lads we have are giving us plenty of food for thought on the kind of squad we want to build for next season.”

Brian McDonnell