MSC Preview: Limerick -v-Cork City
- Tom Clancy
- Fri, Feb 27 2015
LIMERICK
After a winter of unrest for the Blues, their second competitive game of 2015 sees them face Cork City in a Munster derby. Kick-off in Askeaton is 1pm.
While a return to Markets Field seemed on the cards, temporary shelter will have to be found in Jackman Park, as the club wait for work to be completed in the Garryowen venue. A trip to County Limerick in the quarter final saw Martin Russell’s side overturn Leeds AFC. That time the venue was Killmallock.
A much smaller and much less experienced squad is at Russell;s disposal, with Shane Duggan, Paul O’Conor and Ian Turner arguably the stand-out names. With the loss of much of last seasons squad, the Club has promoted from within with Paudie O’Connor, Killian Brouder and Sean McSweeney, three of those to be promoted from the U19’s. Winter acquisitions Conor O’Donnell, Dean Clarke and Sean Harding will have important roles to play over the coming months and Saturday represents an opportunity for all involved to silence some of the doubt that has been around the team.
A number of behind closed doors games were held before Russell’s men went down 3-2 in Cobh last week. The performance saw the use of a 3-5-2 formation, something which has been worked on throughout pre-season. It also saw centre-half Aidan Price and centre-half Vinny Faherty line out for Limerick. The future of the pair is uncertain, with a reduced budget meaning that experienced signings are few and far between.
Russell should have close to a full squad to choose from for this game with Val Feeney and Ross Mann returning from U19 International duty.
CORK CITY
League runner-ups last term, John Caulfield has made a number of notable additions to the Rebel Army for 2015. While Liam Miller, Karl Sheppard and ex-blue Kieran Djilali are just some of the names to spring to mind, Cork have also held onto much of last years roster.
A 0-0 tie with Cobh Ramblers on Wednesday meant back to back games without a goal, while on paper, Limerick should provide City’s toughest test to date. With a plethora of talent to choose from Caulfield has a potential selection headache but said he’ll make “a good few changes” to the side that played in Cobh, when speaking with CorkCityfc.ie.
They disposed of Cobh Wanderers 6-0 in the quarter final though it was the semi-final where they fell last year, as Douglas Hall accounted for City before beating Limerick in the final. John Caulfield won his first medal as a player with City in this competition, while as 16 time winners; they are also the most successful side in the history of the competition.
Cork could hand competitive debuts to Karl Sheppard and Liam Miller, while new acquisitions Kieran Djilali and Gavan Holohan played against Wanderers.
Referee: Unknown
MATCH STATS
The sides met four times in 2014, with Cork winning on each occasion (3 League, 1 EA Sports Cup)
Kieran Djalili, Ian Turner and Shane Duggan could all line up against their former club.
The sides met in the same round of the Munster Senior Cup in Clounreask Askeaton in 2006 with then First Division Limerick, prevailing 2-0.
BETTING
Limerick 6/4; Draw 12/5; Cork City 7/5
PREDICTION
Limerick 1-3 Cork City
TEAM NEWS
Limerick
Injured: Sean Russeell (Ilness), Tony Whitehead
Cork City
Injured: Alan Smith (Head), John O'Flynn (Chicken Pox)
About Tom Clancy
Introduced to the League of Ireland in 2005, Tom has seen Limerick play at four different grounds down the years. He began writing for Extratime in late 2013 and was delighted to report on the …