MSC Preview: Limerick FC -v- Leeds AFC

• Simon O'Gorman
• Thu, Jan 22 2015




LIMERICK FC

Kilmallock will be a busy place on Saturday afternoon with Limerick facing UCC in the Waterford Crystal Cup across the road from the ground of Killmallock United where Limerick FC open their competitive season with  this Munster Senior Cup quarter-final against Leeds AFC.

 

Martin Russell’s side have been back in training for just two weeks and he intends to use the game as a fitness exercise for a squad that is not yet fully formed. Speaking to the club website Russell said: 

 

“It has probably come a little bit early but we’re looking forward to it... We’ll use it as part of our pre-season preparation and we’ll try to be as positive as we can with it. The lads are still gaining their fitness levels and we haven’t done a whole lot of tactical work with the new players.”

 

New signings Conor O’Donnell, Paul O’Conor, Sean Russell and Dean Clarke are all expected to be involved as well as several members of the club’s U19 side. “With the way the squad is at the moment, it will give an opportunity to the younger players to come in,” Russell explained, “and see what they can do. That’s going to be interesting as well.”

 

Among the Blues’ youngsters looking to impress will be striker Ross Mann who top-scored in this competition last year and who has since made 17 league appearances for the first team. Also in the reckoning is rising star Sean McSweeney who recently scored for the Irish Schoolboys side against the Irish U17s.

 

 

LEEDS AFC

While this will be Limerick’s first game in this competition, Leeds have already played and won three matches. Blarney United (2-0), Rockmount (2-1) and Midleton (5-4 on pens after 2-2 draw) have all been put to the sword by the club from Ballyvolane on the north side of Cork City, while their most recent league outing ended in a 4-0 win over Wilton United in the second tier of the Munster Senior League.

 

Leeds currently sit mid table in the Munster Senior League First Division with a squad that includes several players with League of Ireland experience. Jonathan Creamer made 11 league appearances for Cobh Ramblers last year and scored in previous rounds against Blarney and Rockmount. Goalkeeper Stephen Hickey also spent at year with the Rams while Greg Yelverton spent two seasons in the First Division with Wexford Youths.

 

Ken Coleman is another Leeds player with considerable experience. He had stints at Wolves and Kidderminster Harriers before turning out for Waterford United and he was also part of the Cobh Ramblers side that won the First Division title in 2007. However, he will be suspended for the tie.

 

Referee: Ralph Pieper

 

 

MATCH STATS

Limerick have won this competition twelve times with their latest success coming in 2012 when they defeated Cork City in the final at Jackman Park. Limerick were beaten finalists last year, going down to Cork side Douglas Hall at Turner’s Cross.

 

Leeds have scored two goals in all three of their previous Munster Senior Cup games in 2014/15.

 

 

PREDICTION

Limerick are not yet up to speed but Leeds may not have enough to take advantage. Limerick to progress despite a hairy afternoon.

 

 

Limerick FC

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

 

Leeds AFC

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Ken Coleman.