League Preview: Drogheda United -v- Limerick

• Gerard Grimes
• Fri, Aug 05 2016



Drogheda United host runaway First Division leaders Limerick at United Park on Friday evening as the home side look for a repeat of their performance against the Shannonsiders' from June, where they lead 2-1 until Ross Mann equalised for Limerick in the 92nd minute.
 
DROGHEDA UNITED
That draw, in Market’s Field is still to date, the only competitive fixture, league or cup that Limerick have failed to win this season. Despite Limerick not losing a game all season, 
Drogheda manager Pete Mahon told the club website that he is confident his side can cause an upset on Friday evening.
 
“I think we play our best football against teams who come out and try to play the ball and I’m sure Martin Russell will agree that we’ve been the side that has caused them the most problems this season. All sides have to be beaten at some stage so why shouldn’t it be us tomorrow?”
 
Despite being twenty points behind Limerick, Drogheda currently sit second in the First Division table, a point ahead of UCD and seven ahead of fourth placed Cobh. The Boynesiders’ also come into this game off the back of three victories on the bounce, three games in which the new centre half partnership of Kevin Farragher and Luke Gallagher have excelled, as Drogheda kept three clean sheets.
 
Aaron Ashe has been one of the standout players for Mahon's side this year, with his eight goals so far this season making him the top scorer in the club. The former Bohs' player was the match winner again for Drogheda against Cabinteely as he scored for the third game running while also making it five goals in his last seven appearances.
 
Speaking of the win over Cabinteely, Mahon admitted the performance was not near the level Drogheda can reach but praised Ashe and new signings John McKeown and Richie Purdy for their part in sealing the win.
 
“We kept plugging away and when you have players like Aaron Ashe in your team, you’ll always carry a threat. I thought the two lads (McKeown and Purdy) changed the game. They’ve played together before so they know each other’s game and it showed. They passed the ball around well and played a big part in the goal."
 
In team news, Drogheda have no suspensions but despite Adam Wixted has returning to training, he remains a doubt for this game.
 
LIMERICK
Martin Russell's Limerick head to Drogheda looking to maintain their unbeaten record for the season and further close in on sealing what is now inevitable, becoming First Division champions.
 
Limerick are currently twenty points clear at the top of the First Division winning eighteen and drawing one of their 19 games this season. What is even more impressive is that they have scored 69 goals in just 19 games, meaning they have scored 42 more goals than second placed Drogheda this season.
 
However, it is not just the league where Limerick have impressed as they reached the final of EA Sports Cup on Monday evening, as they beat Derry City 1-0 at the Brandywell, courtesy of a 15th minute Stephen Kenny strike.
 
Limerick now wait to find out who they face in the final of that competition, with the second semi-final, between Shamrock Rovers and St. Patrick's Athletic, taking place on Monday in Tallaght Stadium.
 
With Limerick scoring so many this season, it will come as no surprise that three of the top five goalscorers in the league are Limerick players. Star man John O'Flynn sits top of the chart on 11 for the season, while Aaron Greene and Chris Mulhall have nine a piece to date.
 
Martin Russell look set to have a full squad to choose from, with Lee-J Lynch expected to have recovered from an injury which kept him out of the semi-final win over Derry.
 
Referee: John McLoughlin.
 
 
MATCH STATS
In the last six meetings between these sides at United Park, it is Limerick who have the better record, winning three, drawing two and losing just one since 2013.
 
Drogheda, in 19 league games this season, have only once scored more than two goals in a game, in a 4-0 win over Cabinteely.
 
Limerick, on the other hand, have hit the back of the net more than twice in 13 of their 19 games. They also scored twice in each of those six games where they failed to score three or more.
 
 
BETTING
Drogheda United 4/1; Draw 14/5; Limerick 4/6.
 
 
PREDICTION
Drogheda United 1-2 Limerick.
 
 
Drogheda United
Injured: None.
Doubtful: Adam Wixted.
Suspended: None.
 
Limerick
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.