Limerick boss Taylor eyes three points against Drogs

LIMERICK FC manager, Stuart Taylor insists his charges have a lot to learn about life in top flight football, despite their encouraging start to the Premier Division season.

Limerick are above of the likes of Cork City, Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians in the Premier Division table. Their next fixture is a home tie with sixth-placed Drogheda United at Thomond Park on Tuesday next, May 14, at 7.45pm.

Manager Taylor said: “We are a team which is starting out, building something, a team that’s learning every minute, every game.

“As every match day comes around we are hoping to get better and improve. We are not looking at finishing first, or second, or third or fourth or whatever.

“Every week I say that what we are looking to do is produce good solid performances, try and play as much football as possible. We are on a massive learning curve.

“Everything has been positive up until now and any negatives we have had we have learned from them.

“We have tried to make sure we don’t make the same mistakes twice.”

Taylor is glad of the eight-day turnaround to Tuesday’s game with Drogheda after Lims endured a hectic Bank Holiday schedule, facing away games against Derry City and Cork City in less than 72 hours.

“I would give credit to the players. Whoever made the fixtures certainly weren’t making them light for us,” Taylor said.

“To ask boys who arrived home at 4am-5am on Saturday morning from Derry City to play again two days later, I think it was seen in terms of the performance against Cork City on Monday.

“The players looked lethargic. Full credit to them in terms of their mental strength. They showed a lot of will-to-win which is something we try and impose and they came away with a result. It’s all positive.

“We have had decisions which have gone against us. We have dealt with them and moved on.

Limerick striker Craig Curran spent Monday night in hospital having taken a knock to the head in Monday’s win over Cork City.

Taylor said: “Craig Curran spent Monday night in hospital waiting for a scan after an elbow to the head.

“I tried to take him off during the game, but there was no chance I could. He wasn’t having it. That is the type of character Craig is.”

Limerick’s next opponents, Drogheda face Shamrock Rovers in the EA Sports Cup final on Saturday.

It was ironic that while two Limerick-born players, Denis Behan and Shane Duggan scored for Cork City in Monday’s game, Limerick’s winner was netted by Cork native David O’Leary.

The midfielder has made a big impression for the Blues on their return to the Premier Division this season.

“Dave O’Leary is a very important player for us,” Stuart Taylor said.

“He brings a lot of different dimensions in terms of energy, ability and has been adding goals into his game.

“He is a young kid, someone who is improving every single week and he has done fantastic for us.

“There is still a long, long way in the season to go and I think I am right in saying that his goal ratio at the moment is one every four games. For a midfielder that is a great return. But he also chips in with dominating games in terms of possession. His passing is good and is a good decision-maker.”