Determined Super Blues are ready to take flight
WITH Airtricity coming on board as League of Ireland sponsors Limerick FC hope to take flight in the Airtricity League First Division when they launch their 2010 campaign away to Mervue United on Friday night.
Limerick's first home game will take place on Friday, March 12 when the Super Blues host a glamour tie against Derry City at Jackman Park, but if Pat Scully's side are to challenge for promotion this season they will have to improve their performance against the weaker sides in the division. For the past three seasons Limerick have proven more than competitive against the leading sides in the division while performances against lesser sides have cost them - last year Limerick finished seventh, in 2008 they finished fifth, 2007 fourth, 2006 fifth and in 2005 they were seventh.
Limerick completed their pre-season preparations on Saturday afternoon when they took on Carew Park in a friendly.
"It was great and we really enjoyed it," Limerick FC manager Pat Scully told Leader Sport.
"There was a nice little crowd there and it really was a great game for us, a good way to finish our pre-season. To be fair the pre-season went brilliantly went for us. For one reason or another Limerick haven't enjoyed a proper pre-season for a couple of years, but this year I think the players can already see the difference and see the benefit of being prepared properly."
The Super Blues played Mervue three times last season beating them twice at Jackman Park (4-1 & 2-1), but lost 0-1 at Terryland Park.
And, Pat Scully knows his side have it all to do to earn a positive result in Galway this weekend: "We've had a few chats about what we want to do this season and what we want to achieve. All we're focusing on right now is the game against Mervue on Friday night.
"Mervue did very well last season and we know this is going to be a tough game for us. We know they will be pretty physical, but we're looking forward to the challenge. All I want from the players is for them to work and perform against Mervue like they did in pre-season. If they do that we will be alright."
Pat Scully is joined on the Super Blues management team by goalkeeping coach Paul Fagan, assistant manager Declan Farmer and coach Mick Shiels and while the senior squad, along with the management team, have discussed their targets for the coming season they are not prepared to make those targets public just yet.
"We know what we want to do," Pat Scully explained.
"We've spoken about our targets for the season, but those targets are private. We want to do well of course and I think we can. Since I've been here there has been a huge improvement in the mentality and attitude of all the players. The whole club has adapted to what we are trying to do here in Limerick. We want to start well this week and if we go out and perform like I know we can and if we can keep up that level of performance we will do very well."
If Limerick FC are to challenge for promotion to the Premier League this season public support for the team will play a huge part.
That fact isn't lost on Pat Scully, but the Dubliner believes that the Super Blues have to earn the support of the Limerick soccer fraternity: "I think that's up to us really, it's up to us to entice supporters to games. Limerick people have a winning mentality and they don't like to attach themselves to mediocrity. If we win games I know Limerick people will come out to support us and play a big part in what we are trying to achieve."
The Super Blues have named a 22-man squad ahead of their 2010 First Division campaign. Pat Scully will work with three goalkeepers, namely Dave Ryan, Brian Collopy and John McGuinness.
Captain Pat Purcell features among the defenders while Peter White, Conor Molan, Nigel Stanley, Martin Deady, John Boyle, Declan Cahill and Gavin Roche will all battle for places in the Limerick back four. Shane Tracy has been named vice-captain while Jeffrey Judge, Daryl Kavanagh, Jason Hughes, Thomas Lyons, Sean Kelly and David McGrath will endeavour to start in midfield.
Up front Limerick FC have Robbie Kelleher, Shane Clarke, John Tierney and Stephen Hickey as striking options.
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Weather for Limerick
Thursday 24 May 2012
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