Derry City are sure to attract a crowd
DERRY City will make the 450-mile round trip to Limerick this weekend when the Candystrippers clash with the Super Blues at Jackman Park on Friday night (7.45pm).
The Airtricity League game is sure to attract a big crowd and bring back memories of Limerick's 2002 League Cup final win over Derry City.
"It's a big game for us, there's no doubt about that," Limerick FC manager Pat Scully told Leader Sport.
"It's great to be taking on Derry City at Jackman Park, great for the players, for the club and for the supporters.
"They've had a difficult time of late, but they're a big name and the lads are looking forward to taking them on."
Derry City launched their league campaign on Friday night drawing one-all with Cork City at the Brandywell.
Derry attracted almost 3,000 to their first home game of the season for the battle of two sides who were demoted from the Premier Division - Cork City took the lead through a stunning strike from Davin O'Neill in the second half, but Derry debutant Emmett Friars equalised for his hometown club just after the hour mark.
Title favourites
The bookies have made Derry City favourites to win the Airtricity League First Division title, but Limerick manager Pat Scully feels that decision may prove a little premature.
"Ah, I think it was an easy option to make them favourites," Pat Scully said.
"It might be because of their name, but it's too early to make them favourites.
"They have a good team and some good players, but so do we. We have a good team, we have good players and if we play to our potential we can get something out of Friday night's game.
"We do create chances. Shane Clarke, John Tierney, Shane Tracy and Daryl Kavanagh are all very good offensive players.
"They can pass the ball, beat people and score goals.
"They're a good test for any defence to cope with.
"We have a young team, their best years are ahead of them and they want to keep on improving. If we apply ourselves I'm confident of getting a good result on Friday night."
Mervue United
In their opening game of the season, away to Mervue United in Terryland Park on Friday night last, Limerick FC created a whole plethora of goal-scoring chances, but a series of stunning Ger Hanley saves and some controversial refereeing cost the Super Blues all three points.
Pat Scully included five new signings in his starting eleven (Sean Kelly, Peter White, Jeffrey Judge, Shane Clarke & Declan Cahill) and although Limerick FC were denied all three points Scully is sure to be encouraged by the fact that the Super Blues dominated the game.
In the 28th minute Limerick FC forced themselves into a deserved lead when Shane Clarke clipped a clever ball in behind the Mervue back four for John Tierney to race onto and tuck under the advancing Ger Hanley.
Limerick FC then peppered the Mervue goal before a controversial decision by the assistant referee in the 57th minute saw Mervue awarded a goal after Kevin Barrett's low effort was adjudged to have crossed the line before being cleared by a Limerick defender.
The game finished one-all leaving Pat Scully less than impressed.
"It was disappointing," Pat Scully admitted.
"We should have won the game and we should have won the game easily.
"The lads are feeling a little aggrieved about the result because of some of the refereeing decisions. We were denied a stonewall penalty when Shane Tracy was taken down, the linesman said a ball had crossed the line even though he was 65 yards away and their 'keeper made a string of great saves.
"The decision to award their goal really was disgraceful. There was a goalmouth scramble, but the fact that the Mervue players were claiming a corner after the ball was cleared says it all.
"I was happy with the way the lads played.
"They deserved to win the game. There are things that we need to improve on, but we do feel hard done by.
"It's only the first game of the season, but it was disappointing to drop two points like that when we deserved to win," Pat Scully said.
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Weather for Limerick
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
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Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
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