Limerick FC

gufcfan

I'm surprised that there is no Limerick FC thread.

To get the ball rolling...

Limerick v Galway United twitter updates

http://twitter.com/galwayunitedfc

Match kicked-off at 2pm.

osarusan

Final score 0-0. Limerick missed a penalty.

Amazotheamazing

Anymore news on the FAI trying to buy the Market's Field? It's the best long term home for Limerick FC and a small pretty much city centre stadium could generate a bit of interest in casual fans.

Will Limerick FC host a friendly in Thomond Park this summer, could be a nice earner if they got the right team in.

And, finally for now, how are the training grounds in Knocknalisheen coming together?

Aidric

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Anymore news on the FAI trying to buy the Market's Field? It's the best long term home for Limerick FC and a small pretty much city centre stadium could generate a bit of interest in casual fans.

Agree completely, it can't happen soon enough although I haven't heard anything on it in a while. The new Greyhound Stadium is due to open before the end of this year. Do they have to wait till then?

Soulcrew09

gufcfan wrote: »

I'm surprised that there is no Limerick FC thread.

Sher you know yourself Limerick fans have a home of their own.
http://foot.ie/forums/53-Limerick

Unless the club can come up with several millions or the city council acually do something for the club for once, then the Markets Field plan is dead in the water.

macheda

Soulcrew09 wrote: »

Sher you know yourself Limerick fans have a home of their own.
http://foot.ie/forums/53-Limerick

Unless the club can come up with several millions or the city council acually do something for the club for once, then the Markets Field plan is dead in the water.

Ya to be honest this project is a non-starter. On the filed scully seems to have established a decent squad so hopefully we can maintain a promotion push.

Soulcrew09

macheda wrote: »

Ya to be honest this project is a non-starter. On the filed scully seems to have established a decent squad so hopefully we can maintain a promotion push.

Decent team, well prepared, could do with a striker though. (Clarke, Kelleher and Tierney flying in pre-season though) If they challanged for a play-off spot then everyone would be happy. Unfortunetely having Bray, Waterford, Derry and Shelbourne in the league will make it very hard.

Thankfully we'll have an 'A' team this year so lads who are not starting with the first team and who are coming back from injury can get some game time.

macheda

Soulcrew09 wrote: »

Decent team, well prepared, could do with a striker though. (Clarke, Kelleher and Tierney flying in pre-season though) If they challanged for a play-off spot then everyone would be happy. Unfortunetely having Bray, Waterford, Derry and Shelbourne in the league will make it very hard.

Thankfully we'll have an 'A' team this year so lads who are not starting with the first team and who are coming back from injury can get some game time.

Ya you can add cork to that too. I share your point about up front but hopefully robbie who has lost a good bit of weight and clarke and tierney can hit the ground running early.

Limerick Dude

Yeah i think there was alot of pressure on Scully last season, hopefully this year we will see the benefits of the young but talented squad that we have.

It would be great if we got into the playoffs.

osarusan

Limerick Dude wrote: »

Yeah i think there was alot of pressure on Scully last season, hopefully this year we will see the benefits of the young but talented squad that we have.

There wasn't really much pressure on him, as he'd come in after the season started, and inherited a thin squad rather than building his own. This season will see more pressure on him as he's had time to get his team together.

Amazotheamazing

Soulcrew09 wrote: »

Sher you know yourself Limerick fans have a home of their own.
http://foot.ie/forums/53-Limerick

Unless the club can come up with several millions or the city council acually do something for the club for once, then the Markets Field plan is dead in the water.

Afaik, Limerick FC have already sent a bid for the Market's Field to Bord na gCon? The land is valuable, but not massively so, it will always be designated for recreation and let's face it, no-one's buying large chunks of land for apartments anymore. Who else is going to buy it if not Limerick FC? Not the GAA, not the IRFU. The only other option would be for someone like UL to buy it and develop a university stadium there, but that's beyond unlikely.

Raiser

I find this a small bit confusing?

Hasn't the Irish Greyhound Board been trying to get out of the Markets Field for the past number of years due to problems with parking, anti-social elements, arson etc?

- Why would anyone else be queueing to get in?

Aidric

Raiser wrote: »

I find this a small bit confusing?

Hasn't the Irish Greyhound Board been trying to get out of the Markets Field for the past number of years due to problems with parking, anti-social elements, arson etc?

- Why would anyone else be queueing to get in?

It's a dump, no doubt, but a slightly better dump then their current ground.

Itsdacraic

Raiser wrote: »

I find this a small bit confusing?

Hasn't the Irish Greyhound Board been trying to get out of the Markets Field for the past number of years due to problems with parking, anti-social elements, arson etc?

- Why would anyone else be queueing to get in?

Well, when you spend a few years playing in Rathbane even one of the greens in Moyross would start to look good.

Amazotheamazing

Raiser wrote: »

I find this a small bit confusing?

Hasn't the Irish Greyhound Board been trying to get out of the Markets Field for the past number of years due to problems with parking, anti-social elements, arson etc?

- Why would anyone else be queueing to get in?

Different reasons, Bord na gCon are trying to revamp all their stadia, and promote greyhounds as a night out in itself, a self contained stadium on suits them.

On the otherhand, the market's field is the spiritual home of Limerick senior soccer (though GAA and rugby were both played there before Limerick FC even existed, afaik). It suits Limerick FC because it's pretty much city centre, has the potential to draw fans in to it who live within walking distance, etc. Very easy to see people going to games after work on a Friday and then talking the short walk to Nancies etc to continue the night out. As such, football would be only one element of the night.

More than anything else though, it's because it's an available stadium that they could own and call their long term home, something they haven't had in nearly 30 years.

Btw, what's going on with Hogan's field this weather?

Itsdacraic

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Different reasons, Bord na gCon are trying to revamp all their stadia, and promote greyhounds as a night out in itself, a self contained stadium on suits them.

On the otherhand, the market's field is the spiritual home of Limerick senior soccer (though GAA and rugby were both played there before Limerick FC even existed, afaik). It suits Limerick FC because it's pretty much city centre, has the potential to draw fans in to it who live within walking distance, etc. Very easy to see people going to games after work on a Friday and then talking the short walk to Nancies etc to continue the night out. As such, football would be only one element of the night.

More than anything else though, it's because it's an available stadium that they could own and call their long term home, something they haven't had in nearly 30 years.

Btw, what's going on with Hogan's field this weather?

The fact of the matter still remains though that the Markets Field is privately owned, it's in Bord na gCons interests to extract as much money as they can for it. Kevin Kiely called for Bord na gCon to sell the MF to Limerick FC for a nominal amount, so that it would "create goodwill" towards Bord na gCon. The problem is though, who would it create goodwill from? The couple of hundred people that go to watch Limerick every week? Even soccer people in the city don't support Limerick.
Until the deficencies in Limerick senior soccer (and LOI soccer in general) are addressed and a sustainable marketable model is introduced, I can't see anybody stumping up the cash to buy the Markets Field for Limerick. they had to raise €40k just to keep the club afloat last year, let alone raise €1m to buy a stadium.

Amazotheamazing

Itsdacraic wrote: »

The fact of the matter still remains though that the Markets Field is privately owned, it's in Bord na gCons interests to extract as much money as they can for it. Kevin Kiely called for Bord na gCon to sell the MF to Limerick FC for a nominal amount, so that it would "create goodwill" towards Bord na gCon. The problem is though, who would it create goodwill from? The couple of hundred people that go to watch Limerick every week? Even soccer people in the city don't support Limerick.
Until the deficencies in Limerick senior soccer (and LOI soccer in general) are addressed and a sustainable marketable model is introduced, I can't see anybody stumping up the cash to buy the Markets Field for Limerick. they had to raise €40k just to keep the club afloat last year, let alone raise €1m to buy a stadium.

I worry that if Limerick FC buy it, they will simply have to sell it down the line due to their previous history of running the club. I'd rather the FAI bought it and leased it out to Limerick FC but if they did, every other club would probably want the FAI to buy their stadium too.

Itsdacraic

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

I worry that if Limerick FC buy it, they will simply have to sell it down the line due to their previous history of running the club. I'd rather the FAI bought it and leased it out to Limerick FC but if they did, every other club would probably want the FAI to buy their stadium too.

The only way the FAI could get away with something like that is to develop a center of excellence/acadamey still thing but there isn't the space at the Markets Field for that.

Shamrock Rovers rent their pitch from South Dublin County Council, but that was developed in better times and Limerick City Council don't have a bean, so can't see them investing any moeny in another stadium for what is regreattably a very poorly supported club. It would see very little spin off benefits in comparison to big match days at Thomond or the Gaelic Grounds.

Amazotheamazing

Itsdacraic wrote: »

The only way the FAI could get away with something like that is to develop a center of excellence/acadamey still thing but there isn't the space at the Markets Field for that.

Shamrock Rovers rent their pitch from South Dublin County Council, but that was developed in better times and Limerick City Council don't have a bean, so can't see them investing any moeny in another stadium for what is regreattably a very poorly supported club. It would see very little spin off benefits in comparison to big match days at Thomond or the Gaelic Grounds.

Yeah, iirc, the FAI actually wanted to build an Academy at Hogan's field but some sort of typical disaster stopped it. However, with the regeneration of the long Pavement, the city council should do a joint enterprise with the FAI to build both an Academy and a stadium, city council gives the land at the long pavement and the FAI provides the money to build the necessary facilities. Win-win really.

flutered

i remember the old markets field very well, there was some crack there the day turlogh o connor came back with dundalk for his first game after leaving limerick, dundalk won b.t.y. limerick had to play some big games in thomand park to cater for the crowds. they should never have gone to dublin to play in the BIG one, me thinks that was a turning point, many supporters i used to know could not afford to travel, they also got sour and started to vote with their feet,the main problem for limerick fc is the strenght of junior football, it eats up players and supporters, in an ideal world it should be a feeding ground but it is the opposite.

osarusan

Limerick FC are closer to a return to the Market's Field than they have been for a while. The fact remains though that it is privately owned land, and Bord na gCon, while wanting to sell, are willing to wait for a good price.

It will be interesting, if Limerick do get back in there, how many people will turn up who have used Limerick not being in the Market's Field as an excuse not to go to games.

flutered

osarusan wrote: »

Limerick FC are closer to a return to the Market's Field than they have been for a while. The fact remains though that it is privately owned land, and Bord na gCon, while wanting to sell, are willing to wait for a good price.

its a buyers market now, they will have a long long wait for a good price, unless they find a way to hand it to nama, then they will be on the pigs back

Itsdacraic

flutered wrote: »

its a buyers market now, they will have a long long wait for a good price, unless they find a way to hand it to nama, then they will be on the pigs back

Why would they hand it to Nama? I assume they have no debt attached to the Markets Field, so can afford to sit on it for as long as they want.

flutered

Itsdacraic wrote: »

Why would they hand it to Nama? I assume they have no debt attached to the Markets Field, so can afford to sit on it for as long as they want.

it costs money 24/7 even if its empty, security etc, every week its costing, they cannot keep that up.

Soulcrew09

flutered wrote: »

problem for limerick fc is the strenght of junior football, .

Maybe during Fairviews glory days a few years back but cant agree now, some fine players about town but general standards have dipped in the city. The best players at junior level have made little or no mark at senior level which has created a lot of bitterness (Pike still decent mind) Crowds at Junior games average about 30/40.

Problem is the big clubs dont want to see a strong senior team as all the best young talent will want to go there. Just look a Clarke going from Boro to Limerick recently.

Real in Dublin and moving from the Markets Field were certainly bad moves no doubt, however the few people still left from that era all seem to agree the clubhouse fire in Hogan Park was the start of the downfall. People forget Limerick were pulling crowds of 3/4000 up there before that.

If Limerick are doing well the crowds will come, crowds of over a thousand was not unusual 2 years ago when they went on a bit of a run in the second half of the season. Fact is the club is being better run now than it ever has in a long time.

Im aware of what went down during the days of Grace and Fr Joe and dont blame people from staying way (I would too)
However a younger hardcore generation seems to be following the club now and have not been messed around and long may it continue.

Soulcrew09

flutered wrote: »

it costs money 24/7 even if its empty, security etc, every week its costing, they cannot keep that up.

Limerick would only want to use it for 90mins every 2 weeks, there are other plans for the site involving the FAI and Dept of Education.
Sher put a car park in there (already a small one there) would bring in a few bob every day.

Limerick Chairman offered 1mill.


About 6 short

(open to correction)

Itsdacraic

flutered wrote: »

it costs money 24/7 even if its empty, security etc, every week its costing, they cannot keep that up.

The place is only about 2 steps above disrepair as it stands. They wouldn't be overly concerned with security for it, at least not to the degree where they would be willing to accept a bid 4 or 5 million below the asking price.

It would be fantastic to have a 4 or 5k seater soccer stadium in the city but the numbers just don't add up.

Amazotheamazing

Soulcrew09 wrote: »

Limerick would only want to use it for 90mins every 2 weeks, there are other plans for the site involving the FAI and Dept of Education.
Sher put a car park in there (already a small one there) would bring in a few bob every day.

Limerick Chairman offered 1mill.


About 6 short

(open to correction)

I don't see how the 7 million price tag is realistic, the land is zoned for sports, who else is going to buy it? Also, even if it was rezoned to residential or commercial, no-one's going to build anything there for the foreseeable future.

It's uses are limited, 7 million seems overly ambitious, considering the current stadium would have to be levelled.

In truth, a bid from Limerick FC or the FAI is all Bord na gCon can hope for, as is, imo.

IrishGooner83

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

On the otherhand, the market's field is the spiritual home of Limerick senior soccer (though GAA and rugby were both played there before Limerick FC even existed, afaik). It suits Limerick FC because it's pretty much city centre, has the potential to draw fans in to it who live within walking distance, etc. Very easy to see people going to games after work on a Friday and then talking the short walk to Nancies etc to continue the night out. As such, football would be only one element of the night.QUOTE]


Do Limerick FC not play their games these days at Jackman Park..? I cant see a massive difference in distance from town between here and The Markets Field to be honest.. Jackman Park would only be about a 10 minute walk to the major pubs in Limerick (Nancy's, Flannerys etc...)

The club could do more to promote the Friday night games - I think the idea has good basis. Catch the footy with a few mates and then walk into town to kick off the w'end with a few more scoops.

goingpostal

I saw an article in the Limerick Post that said that Limerick City Council sold the Markets Field to Bord na gCon for 40,000 punts and will now have to pay 1million euro to get it back!! Good work, fellas!! Jackman Park and Markets Field are much of a muchness. Both of them are very run down and need serious investment to bring them to the standard of Thomond Park and The Gaelic Grounds. That is the standard that people going to sporting events expect these days and what Limerick FC will need in order to compete with soccer on satellite TV seven nights a week. Charging 12euro to watch a relatively low standard of football in non existent facilities isn't going to fly anymore. The last Limerick game I went to was Limerick vs Cork in the cup a few years back. You don't expect the players to be Brazil 1970, but the negativity of Limericks play was unforgivable. They could have at least tried to put on a show and play some decent attacking football instead of sitting back and defending and playing for penalties from the first minute. The most entertaining thing that night was some fat kid stumbling around the place at half time in a kit many sizes too small for him. Nuff said.

flutered

just look at all the facilitys at stadiums across chanell, yet most games have only 40% or less attendance, except for the high profile games,

Soulcrew09

goingpostal wrote: »

Charging 12euro to watch a relatively low standard of football in non existent facilities isn't going to fly anymore. .

Reduced to a tenner this year im happy to report, ill be expecting to pay E15-E20 Sat night for 60mins worth of action in the Gaelic Grounds Sat night and wont mind cause im supporting my local team.

People around town dont mind spending hundreds of Euros every week to sit in silent, souless grounds next to fellow tourists where drinking, smoking or cursing is outlawed following a foreign team.

Personally id like a see a move to the MF however for every pro theres a con, ya theres 2 bars which will make money but changing rooms and floodlights are needed.

osarusan

goingpostal wrote: »

The last Limerick game I went to was Limerick vs Cork in the cup a few years back. You don't expect the players to be Brazil 1970, but the negativity of Limericks play was unforgivable. They could have at least tried to put on a show and play some decent attacking football instead of sitting back and defending and playing for penalties from the first minute. The most entertaining thing that night was some fat kid stumbling around the place at half time in a kit many sizes too small for him. Nuff said.

Why don't you give them another go?

Amazotheamazing

IrishGooner83 wrote: »

The club could do more to promote the Friday night games - I think the idea has good basis. Catch the footy with a few mates and then walk into town to kick off the w'end with a few more scoops.

It's been a long time since I was in either stadium, but don't think there's a bar of any sort in Jackman Park? That being said, in their first year there, I think they got decent crowds?

flutered

i was in a pub last night, on the tv was the highlight of bolton an wolves, how dire is dire, no skill, run run run, no ball control, it made jackman park look like the san siro, before you comment, i have been there several times, (the san siro).
,

Soulcrew09

flutered wrote: »

i was in a pub last night, on the tv was the highlight of bolton an wolves, how dire is dire, no skill, run run run, no ball control, it made jackman park look like the san siro, before you comment, i have been there several times, (the san siro).
,

Did you see Man City and Liverpool last week? :eek:

Dont get me wrong, I love Sunday afternoons in the pub watching Sky but there nothing like following your own team and having a pint with some of them after the game without them looking down theres noses at you. (Munster players take note)

Soulcrew09

Mervue v Limerick

SC bus to game leaving Arthurs Quay Park @ 4pm.

Membership forms available on the day.

campo

I have never been to a Limerick game except for a couple of months ago I went to see them play the Liverpool legends I was very impressed with the atmosphere I might little fella loved it so this year I treated myself to a season ticket and the little fella gets in free when with me which is great, I also am in the process of signing him up for there academy so I will give them my support this year and all going well I will buy another season ticket next season

osarusan

Mervue United 1 Limerick FC 1.

John Tierney scored for Limerick.


Next up, Derry City in Jackman Park next Friday, March 12th at 7.45pm.

Insect Overlord

osarusan wrote: »

Mervue United 1 Limerick FC 1.

John Tierney scored for Limerick.


Next up, Derry City in Jackman Park next Friday, March 12th at 7.45pm.

I played with him for Wembley a few years ago, he's a quality striker and a really sound guy. Glad Limerick held on to him this season.

Soulcrew09

Insect Overlord wrote: »

I played with him for Wembley a few years ago, he's a quality striker and a really sound guy. Glad Limerick held on to him this season.

Had a brief stint out the wings during pre-season and is not a bad winger either it seems.

Limerick Dude

Should be a good atmosphere at the game for the visit of Derry, especially if their fans make the long trip down!

I'm hoping there will be a decent attendance, hopefully above 600.

flutered

a big crowd would be nice, its a pity i cannot bolster it by a couple.

ShatterProof

Limerick FC will also have to start a petition to get the pubs open on Good Friday

FIRST DIVISION:SERIES NO. 5
Fri. 2 April Limerick v Cork City Foras Co-op Jackman Park 7.45 pm

Soulcrew09

ShatterProof wrote: »

Limerick FC will also have to start a petition to get the pubs open on Good Friday

FIRST DIVISION:SERIES NO. 5
Fri. 2 April Limerick v Cork City Foras Co-op Jackman Park 7.45 pm

Not at all, plans already in motion to have one of their beer and BBQ nights for that game (not acually selling the beer just 'giving' it away in a promo), with the kick off switched to 4pm.

In the Fai and Ldmc's hands now though.

Amazotheamazing

Soulcrew09 wrote: »

Not at all, plans already in motion to have one of their beer and BBQ nights for that game (not acually selling the beer just 'giving' it away in a promo), with the kick off switched to 4pm.

In the Fai and Ldmc's hands now though.

That's a really great idea, you should post it on the other sports section of anfearua.com (or .ie?) and munsterfans.com. Could be a great place for fans to head to before the rugby game.

Soulcrew09

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

That's a really great idea, you should post it on the other sports section of anfearua.com (or .ie?) and munsterfans.com. Could be a great place for fans to head to before the rugby game.

Will do if the club gets the go ahead, wont hear anything from board level unless anything is confirmed.

Free return buses from various places on the county (Clare included) for the Derry game.

http://www.limerickfc.ie/home/home.html

osarusan

Friday March 12th
Limerick 0 - 1 Derry City.



Friday March 19th
Limerick 2 - 0 Longford

Tierney 54
Tracey (pen) 59


Next game: Away to Finn Harps on Friday March 26th.

Next home game: Cork City Foras Co-op on Friday April 2nd. Kick-off at 4.30pm.

goingpostal

Soulcrew09 wrote: »

Will do if the club gets the go ahead, wont hear anything from board level unless anything is confirmed.

Free return buses from various places on the county (Clare included) for the Derry game.

http://www.limerickfc.ie/home/home.html

Free return buses? From Bunratty? Count me in!!

ShatterProof

osarusan wrote: »

Next home game: Cork City Foras Co-op on Friday April 2nd. Kick-off at 4.30pm.

have you got the bar sorted for this one yet ?

Soulcrew09

ShatterProof wrote: »

have you got the bar sorted for this one yet ?

Think an application went in alright but have heard nothing as of yet.