Limerick seek to keep pressure on

PROMOTION-chasing Limerick FC will be looking to complete a hat-trick of wins in the Airtricity League First Division at Jackman park this Friday night when basement side Salthill Devon are the visitors (7.45pm).

In the wake of successive away league wins over Waterford United and Finn Harps, Limerick FC manager Pat Scully will be hoping his side can boost their promotion prospects with an emphatic victory over the struggling Galway outfit.

Scully insists Limerick will not be taking anything for granted despite Salthill suffered a 5-0 thumping at the hands of Mervue United last weekend.

Limerick trail second-placed Cork City by a point with, the same number of games played, 21. Monaghan United currently edge the Shannonsiders for fourth place on goal difference although Roddy Collins also have a game in hand on Limerick. Table toppers Shelbourne look a good bet to secure one of the two automatic promotion spots on offer as they end a 9-point lead over Cork. The top two sides in the First Division at the end of the regular season will gain automatic promotion next season. The third-placed side in the First Division will face a play-off with the bottom side in the top flight to determine the exact make-up of the Premier Division next season. Goals in either half from the fit-again Shane Tracy and in-form striker Denis Behan helped the ‘Super Blues’ record a precious 2-1 away victory over Finn Harps on Saturday night. Pat Scully said: “The performance against Finn Harps was really good. Finn Park is a tough place to go. We dominated the game all through. We had about 80% of the possession.”

Behan’s match-winning goal from a free kick was the former Hartlepool United striker’s third goal in two League outings. Scully said he was delighted with the impact their summer signings had made to their promotion drive.

“I am delighted with our signings since their arrival. Shaun Kelly, Rory Gaffney, Denis Behan and Joe Gamble have done well for us since their arrival. Denis and Joe, having joined us from cross-channel at the end of their season, are getting fitter with every game. They are good pros to work with. With the injury problems we have had over the course of the season, we have had to re-build the team and re-shape the squad. We will treat Salthill the same way we do any opposition. We will be focusing on our own performance.

Limerick FC manager Scully will be keeping his fingers crossed that defender Pat Purcell and midfielder Shane Tracy can shake off slight groin strains ahead of Friday night’s game. Goalkeeper Barry Ryan is said to have a ‘50/50’ chance of starting due to a back injury.