Limerick FC 2019 Season

Jofspring

Aden Sharp Handlebar wrote: »

Jof, what's the craic with LIFT?

LIFT is still going in the background. The members at the AGM were given an option to fold it and return funds or keep it going and they decided they still wanted it to continue in the background incase of a worse case scenario down the line. At the moment Pat is still the owner and it will taken substantial investment to come in and take the reigns.

Some members have said they will be helping the club out by volunteering and hoping they can encourage more. The committee had a meeting with Pat and it seems like this is where he would appreciate the help more than anything right now.

There is a lot of talk of people wanting fan ownership but at the moment the potential for that isn't really there. For that to work you would need about 500 paying members and an investor/sugar daddy for it to work.

johnnyryan89

mart 23 wrote: »

The deal is based on a gentlemans agreement WTF Jesus wept,

It's weird and I don't know what to think of it. If you're looking to get involved and want to do it without Pat O'Sullivan around then why not put a plan in motion of applying for your own licence like Pat did and not depend on a gentleman's agreement in the hopes Pat walks away at the end of the year.

mart 23

johnnyryan89 wrote: »

It's weird and I don't know what to think of it. If you're looking to get involved and want to do it without Pat O'Sullivan around then why not put a plan in motion of applying for your own licence like Pat did and not depend on a gentleman's agreement in the hopes Pat walks away at the end of the year.

If that is possible why did the new investors not do so .

Jofspring

johnnyryan89 wrote: »

mart 23 wrote: »

The deal is based on a gentlemans agreement WTF Jesus wept,

It's weird and I don't know what to think of it. If you're looking to get involved and want to do it without Pat O'Sullivan around then why not put a plan in motion of applying for your own licence like Pat did and not depend on a gentleman's agreement in the hopes Pat walks away at the end of the year.

From what I know you can't enter the LOI without a LOI under 13's, 15's, 17's and 19's and they are bringing in compulsory ladies team also from next season. That means if you decide for example to start Limerick City FC next season you would have to have all that in place bellow the senior team.

diusmr8a504cvk

Jofspring wrote: »

LIFT is still going in the background. The members at the AGM were given an option to fold it and return funds or keep it going and they decided they still wanted it to continue in the background incase of a worse case scenario down the line. At the moment Pat is still the owner and it will taken substantial investment to come in and take the reigns.

Some members have said they will be helping the club out by volunteering and hoping they can encourage more. The committee had a meeting with Pat and it seems like this is where he would appreciate the help more than anything right now.

There is a lot of talk of people wanting fan ownership but at the moment the potential for that isn't really there. For that to work you would need about 500 paying members and an investor/sugar daddy for it to work.

I don't know if you're aware but most people I've spoken to think it's dead. If ye could update us on the trust's status through Facebook it'd be great.

Jofspring

Aden Sharp Handlebar wrote: »

Jofspring wrote: »

LIFT is still going in the background. The members at the AGM were given an option to fold it and return funds or keep it going and they decided they still wanted it to continue in the background incase of a worse case scenario down the line. At the moment Pat is still the owner and it will taken substantial investment to come in and take the reigns.

Some members have said they will be helping the club out by volunteering and hoping they can encourage more. The committee had a meeting with Pat and it seems like this is where he would appreciate the help more than anything right now.

There is a lot of talk of people wanting fan ownership but at the moment the potential for that isn't really there. For that to work you would need about 500 paying members and an investor/sugar daddy for it to work.

I don't know if you're aware but most people I've spoken to think it's dead. If ye could update us on the trust's status through Facebook it'd be great.

We've maintained contact with the members to let them know what is happening but we are also in the process at the moment of releasing an update on where we stand through social media etc...

osarusan

Bray Wanderers 2-0 Limerick

I wasn't at this, so hopefully somebody who was can comment on the performance.

From following updates, it seems we were awarded a penalty on 35 minutes, but Conor Ellis missed it. Bray scored a goal a minute before half-time, and another just 4 minutes into the second half, and that was that.

Next game: home to Drogheda, Friday March 8th, 7.45pm.

johnnyryan89

That result was to be expected to be fair. Bray have recruited well bringing in lads who played in good Waterford side last season while we are relying on youth team players and lads coming in from junior football such as Red and Jason Hughes.

It's gonna be a loooooong season and with the talk that the club were talking to people in Thailand things could get worse if the local lads walk away altogether and nobody wants to come on board at the end of the season.

osarusan

Cobh Ramblers V Limerick in the League Cup tonight was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

Hopefully those who were travelling found out before they'd been on the road too long.

c.p.w.g.w

osarusan wrote: »

Cobh Ramblers V Limerick in the League Cup tonight was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

Hopefully those who were travelling found out before they'd been on the road too long.

Not surprising, that pitch is like a swamp during the summer

osarusan

Limerick 0-0 Drogheda

Limerick still waiting for their first goal of the season after another stalemate tonight.

Drogheda had the better of the first half and forced Tommy Holland into a couple of good saves, whereas we offered no real threat at all.

We were better in the second half, playing more football in their half. Both teams had chances, with Red Hanlon miscuing a header right in front of goal. Late on Drogheda flashed a header just wide of the post , and right at the death Karl O'Sullivan found Hanlon in space with a nice cutback, but he blazed over.

2 points from 3 games, but Longford and Drogheda were pre-season promotion candidates, and neither have managed to beat us either. Our problem is that we just won't score enough goals.

Next game: home to Cobh Ramblers, Saturday March 16th, 7.45pm

johnnyryan89

Must have been a long night for those that could make it and a dreary night with the official attendance at 420, can see that dropping again for Cobh and if we don't get a win only God knows what's gonna show up for the home match against Athlone. Brady and Williams the two standout players from reports.

osarusan

Limerick 3-1 Cobh

(Hanlon 2, Ellis)

First goals of the season, and a first win of the season, for Limerick on a miserably wet and cold night.

We were out of the blocks straight away, and went close early on. Hanlon had the ball in the net when he reacted to an Ellis shot that was spilled by the keeper, but it was ruled out for offside. Then Hanlon played Ellis in behind the defence but he fired over from a great position.

But we were ahead after 15 minutes. A freekick into the box fell nicely at Hanlon's feet and he fired into the bottom corner.

Cobh improved and had a decent spell, with two shots from the edge of the area that went close, but we went 2-0 up not long after. From a Cobh corner, the ball was cleared away to about 15 yards outside the Limerick box near the touchline. Ellis beat one Cobh player to the ball, then took off towards goal from well inside his own half, beating another defender for pace before reaching the box and placing it past the keeper.

Cobh came back into it again and pulled one back within a few minutes, a striker beating the offside trap and poking it under the advancing Brady. But Limerick restored their 2-goal lead when Hanlon got in behind the defence and beat the keeper via the post.

In the second half, Cobh were less of a threat, and Limerick had a few decent chances to add another goal.Hanlon, Ellis, and Karl O'Sullivan all came close, as the pitch deteriorated, and it ended a very enjoyable and comfortable 3-1.

Fantastic effort from the players, with both forwards and Darren Murphy in midfield doing particularly well.

Next game: Away to Cobh, League Cup, Monday March 18th, 3pm.

Next league game: Away to Cabinteely, Saturday March 23rd, 7.45pm.

osarusan

Cobh 3-1 Limerick

(McSweeney)

Limerick exited the league cup in the first round. I wasn't at this and actually forgot it was even on, hence the delay in reporting.

Cobh scored after only 4 minutes, and although Limerick had a few chances, it was Cobh who went 2 up after about 70 minutes.

When Limerick pulled one back with 5 minutes to go, it looked like there might be a big finish, but Cobh scored just a couple of minutes later to settle things.

Next game: away to Cabinteely, Saturday March 23rd, 2.30pm.

johnnyryan89

Pretty sure the Cabo match is a early kick off, like 2pm or 2.30pm. It's on the same day as Ireland plays fraggle rock.

On today's game, the younger lads got a run out and avoided having to play Cork away in the next round so how bad. Don't think today's lose will affect momentum from the win at the weekend and Ellis actually coming on and being involved in the goal should hopefully boost his confidence more. Cabo had a great win away to Drogs, a win at the weekend will do wonders for confidence going into the home game against Athlone.

osarusan

Cabinteely 1-2 Limerick

(Russell, Ellis)

A good away win for Limerick against a Cabinteely team that look decent enough this season. I wasn't there so can only provide the bare details.

We took the lead through Sean Russell after about 10 minutes, apparently after good work by Karl O'Sullivan. Cabinteely came back into the game and equalised after about half an hour.

In the second half, Cabinteely had a penalty saved by Jack Brady after an hour, and we got the winner with about 15 minutes to go. According to a football app the goal was scored by Shane Tracy, but according to Limerick's Facebook page it was scored by Conor Ellis, so I'll put down Ellis for now.

It has been a strange season so far. We were comfortably beaten by Bray, who were beaten last night by Wexford, who were hammered 6-1 two weeks ago by Cobh, who Limerick easily beat last week. No team standing out so far apart from maybe Shelbourne, and even they are nowhere near as strong as expected. We are a point off the top at this early stage.

Next game: home to Athlone, Friday March 29th, 7.45pm.

osarusan

Limerick 2-0 Athlone

(Tracy, Ellis)

3 league wins in a row for Limerick and we move up to 2nd in the table (at least until Shelbourne play).

We almost went ahead after just 4 minutes, when a Tracy freekick into the box was allowed to bounce over everybody and Karl O'Sullivan volleyed over at the far post. After that the game became fairly brutal stuff. Loads of misplaced passes and mistakes, but we eventually took the lead from a mistake. Tracy whipped in another free kick from the right wing, and it made its way into the far corner, bouncing into the top corner. Not much else happened before the break.

Early in the second half we missed a great chance to go 2 up, which would probably have ended things against a fairly limited Athlone team. A ball into the box was flicked on to Brouder in space at the far post, but he somehow poked wide. With just a one goal lead it was always a bit nervy, but we still looked the more likely to score. We had to wait for it though, with Red Hanlon missing a one-on-one chance with about 10 minutes to go. 5 minutes later Conor Ellis took his one-on-one chance after a perfect through ball from Walsh-O'Loghlen to finally make the game safe, and Walsh-O'Loghlen missed his own chance in injury time after catching Athlone on the break.

Next game: away to Galway, Friday April 5th, 7.45pm.

osarusan

I don't know how to embed Facebook videos, but there are highlights of the last 2 games here.

Limerick 3-1 Cobh

Limerick 2-0 Athlone

osarusan

Galway 0-1 Limerick

(McSweeney)

Limerick make it 4 wins in a row and stay in 2nd place in the table.

I wasn't at this so can't report much. We seemed to be the better team in the first half and took the lead when a Walsh-O'Loghlen shot was saved/blocked and Sean McSweeney was there to tap in.

In the second half we were a bit more defensive, and Galway pressed more, but it sounded like we saw it out without too many scares. We did pick up 4 second-half bookings though in trying to see it out.

Longford stay in first place after 2 goals in the final 15 minutes away to Wexford, but to be above Drogheda, Shelbourne and Bray at this stage is much better than I expected.

Next game: home to Wexford, Friday April 12th, 7.45pm.

damowill

the experience the young lads got in the premier must be standing to them now. the team have actually a nice blend of youth and experience, and it now looks like a settled team.

osarusan

Limerick 1-1 Wexford

(Murphy)

Disappointing to only get a point against lowly Wexford but it was all our performance deserved.

We were the better team in the first half, but didn't create much. Wexford had a couple of chances on the break and our best chance came just on halftime when Karl O'Sullivan crossed from the endline and a stooping header from Sean McSweeney was cleared off the line.

We started the second half brightly, but it was Wexford who took the lead after about 50 minutes. We needlessly, stupidly gave the ball away in midfield and all of a sudden they were bearing down on goal, poking it under Brady who got a hand to it, but the same player was able to tap it over the line.

We equalised almost immediately. Another O'Sullivan cross was laid off by Ellis for the otherwise hopeless Darren Murphy to blast under the keeper from about 15 yards out. Conor Ellis was booked for diving after a heavy first touch saw him waste his opportunity, and right at the death Shane Tracy placed a header just the wrong side of the post.

Overall, it was a fairly brutal match, in a fairly brutal division. Hard to believe we are second in the table, although it is still very congested and Longford have 2 games in hand.

Next game: away to Shelbourne, Friday April 19th, 7.45pm

diusmr8a504cvk

An abortion of a game. Darren Murphy has been consistently poor all season despite tonight's goal.

osarusan

Shelbourne 2-0 Limerick

Our 6-game unbeaten run came to an end tonight.

I wasn't at the game, but from the reports it sounded like it could have been much worse. Shels laid siege to our goal for the first half and Jack Brady made plenty of good saves. But they eventually scored on 38 minutes, with a tap-in from a ball across the box, and scored again right on half-time from what seems like a soft penalty.

Seems like we did a bit better in the second half, in terms of possession at least, but Shes were still the more likely to score. Brady had more saves to make, and Shels hit the crossbar also. It doesn't sound like we can take any positives from it at all. Extratime.ie reporter didn't report even one chance for us all game.

Next game: away to Longford, Saturday April 27th, 7.45pm

osarusan

Mike Aherne reporting that Limerick players are owed wages. I had already heard this but waited for something more substantiated.

https://twitter.com/AherneMike95/status/1119341196265099270?s=19

Limerick FC lose for only second time this season. Just 4 points off the top. Tough trip to Longford before next home game on May 3rd. Of more concern is players are owed wages, it's a shocking way to treat a group of players who have broken their backsides this season.

ElNino

It looks like the takeover has fallen through now because of the players not getting paid . Really bad news for the club.
https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/sport/377938/breaking-limerick-fc-investors-no-long-wish-to-pursue-takeover-of-the-club.html

johnnyryan89

ElNino wrote: »

It looks like the takeover has fallen through now because of Pat O'Sullivan being Pat O'Sullivan . Really bad news for the club.
https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/sport/377938/breaking-limerick-fc-investors-no-long-wish-to-pursue-takeover-of-the-club.html

Fixed that for you. He'll be along soon enough with the poor mouth about how the business community won't support him.

Mc Love

Some joke

osarusan

Longford 1-0 Limerick

Longford go back to the top of the table as Limerick lose their 2nd match in a row.

First half was fairly even according to reports. Longford came close through a goalmouth scramble early on, and Ellis had a chance for Limerick just before the break.

We had out big chance on 50 minutes when Ellis was fouled in the box, but Shane Tracy's penalty was saved. And things got worse 10 minutes later when Sean McSweeney was sent off, harshly by the sounds of it.

Longford pressed more after that scored with about 15 minutes to go. We pressed ourselves late on but couldn't find an equaliser.

Disappointing to lose, but not so much when you consider the players' uncertainty about getting their wages. We drop down to 6th, but it is still very congested.

Next game: home to Bray, Friday May 3rd, 7.45pm

osarusan

Limerick 1-0 Bray

(Kelly)

Fantastic win for Limerick against one of the better teams in the division, and all the more impressive considering the club's instability.

Bray started stronger and created some decent chances in the first half, the best of which was when they got in behind the defence, played a lovely ball across the six-yard box only for the striker to somehow skew it wide from right in front of goal. Limerick's best chance came when Conor Ellis intercepted a pass in the Bray half and went in on goal, but a combination of defender and keeper stopped him with Limerick looking for a penalty.

Early in the second half Darren Murphy had a rasping drive tipped over, and Bray produced a real scramble in our box when an inswinging cross hit the post and came back into play, a last-ditch block saved a goal-bound shot, and even though they tapped in the follow-up, it was given as offside.

Both teams were playing well and would have fancied their chances, and it was Limerick who made the breakthrough with 8 minutes to go. Everybody expected Shaun Kelly to cross when he received the ball wide on the right, but instead he produced a long-range shot that dipped late into the far top corner. I couldn't tell whether it was meant or not, so lets say it was.

Bray pressed late on but didn't create that much, and we held on comfortably enough for an excellent win. Special praise to Lee Devitt and Aaron Fitzgerald at left wing and left fullback, who both put in good performances for such young players.

Next game: away to Drogheda, Friday May 10th, 7.45pm

johnnyryan89

With all the stuff going on off the pitch it's hard to even enjoy what's happening on the pitch, which is a crying shame as these lads are performing well above expectations given everything that's happening.