Limerick hope to bring poor run to an end

WITH Limerick FC looking as vulnerable as skittles lately Super Blues supporters will welcome Mervue United to Jackman Park on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).
Although the Galway men are certainly no pushovers Limerick FC fans will nourish their minds with the memory of the four-one thrashing the Super Blues handed to Mervue on April 13 last - that performance was reminiscent of the form which saw Limerick FC dominate the second half of last season, but since then the Super Blues’ form has been mixed to say the least.
Indeed, it was doubly disheartening on Friday night to see Limerick FC lose their tenth league game against UCD (1-2) at the Belfield Bowl while Kilcornan’s Garry Sheehan smacked in two goals to beat Shelbourne at Tolka Park and give the Wexford Youths a priceless away win.
The task of pinpointing the reason for Limerick’s season petering out so badly has weakened many a stout heart.
On May 22, for instance, Limerick FC drew 0-0 with UCD, but they should have beaten the Students that night at Jackman Park.
Ironically enough Limerick followed that impressive display up with a one-nil defeat away to Mervue United, Alex Lee pounced for the winner in the 47th minute, and in the last 11 games the Super Blues have only managed to gather 10 points from the 33 on offer.
What has really hamstrung Pat Scully’s efforts to mould a winning team is squad instability and injury to key players.
Inspirational club captain Pat Purcell has only managed to play a part in 10 league games this season while the club has also missed the promising Paul Cummins up front.
The manager however has had to deal with an even more acute problem in that a startling number of players have pulled on the Super Blue jersey this season.
Bobby Tier, for example, became the 39th player to turn out for Limerick FC this season against UCD on Friday night.
For one reason or another Limerick FC have failed in their efforts to retain quality players this season with Tommy Barrett, Shane Clarke, Brian O’Callaghan and Paul Walsh the most notable individuals to withdraw their services in recent weeks.
Only left-back Martin Deady has played in all 23 of Limerick’s league games this season while the Limerick District League Premier Division is littered with players of League of Ireland quality.
Mervue United beat Athlone Town 3-1 last weekend.

Brian McDonnell