League Preview: Limerick -v- Galway United

• Tom Clancy
• Sat, Jul 11 2015





LIMERICK

Struggling Limerick welcome the exciting Galway United to Markets Field on Saturday evening, with kick-off at the Garryowen venue at 6.30pm.

 

A last gasp strike from Bray’s Dave Scully last week condemned Limerick to a seventh consecutive league defeat and made their quest for survival an Everest-like challenge, with Martin Russells side still winless so far this season.
 

Sean Harding’s dismissal was a turning point last week’s game against Wanderers and while Lee-J Lynch impressed, his miss in a one-on-one was perhaps more detrimental. Lynch will be a key player from the remainder of the season.

 

With Robbie Willams joined by Sean Harding on the suspension list it means that Paudie O’Connor and Jason Hughes are likely to feature in defence. Aidan Price, who hobbled off last Saturday, is a doubt.
 

While there weren’t boos as Limerick trudged off against Bray, there was an air of resignation, as another defeat was witnessed on Shannonside, with Limerick claiming just one point from the last 15 at home.
 

Perhaps pride is something that Limerick fans want more than anything, with the end to this dismal run showing no sign of ending.
 

 

GALWAY UNITED

The Tribesmen come into this game on the back of a 4-2 defeat at home to the Champions, Dundalk. A comeback was nearly complete until Dundalk struck to finish the scoring in stoppage time.
 

Manager Tommy Dunne will know that Saturday represents a much better opportunity to gain points, especially having dominated Limerick in a 3-2 win at Eamonn Deacy Park back in April.

 

Enda Curran, who has now hit ten league goals for United, found the net twice that evening and was a more than a handful for Tony Whitehead and Robbie Williams.  
 

Victory can help the Tribesmen cement a place in midtable, something you'd imagine Dunne would have taken pre-season. However, their chances of a win on Saturday won't be helped by the absence due of Andy O'Connell and Sam Oji. English defender Oji impressed during his 15 month spell with Limerick before signing for Galway in pre-season.  
 

Speaking to the Club website after the reversal to Dundalk, Dunne felt his side "need to start learning" from mistakes. He also recognised his side were somewhat behind Dundalk, though realised the Markets Field fixture “is going to be a tough game for us, they were unlucky not to get something against Bray”. 
 

Despite Dunne’s belief that Limerick will be a difficult assignment, there is little reason to believe that a Galway victory isn’t the most likely outcome.


 

Referee: Graham Kelly

 

 

MATCH STATS

Enda Curran (10) has scored just four goals fewer than Limerick in total (14).



Sam Oji and David O’Leary both had successful spells with Limerick while Vinny Faherty and Shane Tracy lined out in the maroon of Galway earlier in their careers.

 

BETTING

Limerick 5/2; Draw 21/10; Galway United Evens.

 

PREDICTION

Limerick 1-2 Galway Untied

 

Limerick

Injured: None

Doubtful: Aidan Price

Suspended: Sean Harding, Robbie Williams

 

Galway United

Injured: Sam Oji (hamstring), Andy O’Connell (foot)

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None