Scully signs two-year deal as Limerick FC hope to end poor run

Limerick FC have announced through club chairman Pat O’Sullivan that manager Pat Scully has signed a two-year deal with the club.
Pat O’Sullivan said: “The club are delighted that Pat Scully has agreed a two-year deal. This gives the club stability with one of the top young managers in the country.
“I and everyone running the club have been so impressed by the professionalism Pat Scully has brought to the club and we all feel he is the man to take this once great club back to where it belongs in the Premier Division”.
With the Super Blues looking as vulnerable as skittles lately supporters will welcome Mervue United to Jackman Park with open arms 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.
In the second game of the season goals from Brian O’Callaghan, John Tierney, Jamie Wunsch and Paul Walsh (penalty) capped a great night at Jackman Park.
That brilliant 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 - during that period they have beaten Athlone, Wexford and Finn Harps, drawn with Kildare and lost to Mervue, Shelbourne, Monaghan, Waterford, Sporting Fingal, Longford Town and UCD. Pat Scully’s side have also failed to keep a clean sheet in five games now since drawing nil-all away to Kildare County and shipped 13 goals in their last five outings. But 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.
Last weekend Mervue United beat Athlone Town 3-1 in Ferrycarrig Park and will be more than eager to build on that form come Friday night.

Brian McDonnell