Limerick F.C. Vs Cork City - 10/3/2013 - Thomond Park

**CraftyToePoke** · 04/03/2013, 4:31 PM

Time it had a thread I reckoned

We. Are. Back.

Selection predictions ?

**listowelceltic** · 04/03/2013, 4:53 PM

1-1..attendance 3500

**peterpan** · 04/03/2013, 5:49 PM

2-1 to cork with Denis Behan to score the winner!!

**patrickccfc** · 04/03/2013, 5:55 PM

Originally Posted by peterpan

2-1 to cork with Denis Behan to score the winner!!

**legendz** · 06/03/2013, 9:56 PM

I'll go with 2-1 win for Limerick. Busy enough day out the Ennis side of Limerick. Hurling and footballers in the Gaelic grounds that afternoon and then Limerick v Cork in Thomond Park.

**LK37oldskool** · 09/03/2013, 6:43 AM

For those who dont do Facebook

there are Park & Ride buses running from The Kilmurry Lodge and South Court Hotel from 3.15pm on Sunday. Fiver return. Great if you want to have a few scuups!

**fieldofmarkets** · 09/03/2013, 8:26 AM

I expect a Cork win unfortunately, most are tipping them to finish above Limerick in the league and they have a jump on us in preseason and some competitive games under their belts. We are such an unknown at the moment. Here's hoping the prep and buzz get us a point and win over a few new fans (definitely some going that wouldn't normally).

**thomas72** · 09/03/2013, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by fieldofmarkets

I expect a Cork win unfortunately, most are tipping them to finish above Limerick in the league and they have a jump on us in preseason and some competitive games under their belts. We are such an unknown at the moment. Here's hoping the prep and buzz get us a point and win over a few new fans (definitely some going that wouldn't normally).

exactly the way Im looking at it unfortunately playing setanta cup is a huge advantage for them on top of that having 9 new players only in the door along with a new manager with new ideas it's going to take time prob first 10 games will be quiet difficult lets just hope we pick up as many points as possible in that time.
Anyone know what the clubs estimated attendance tomorrow??

**NeverFeltBetter** · 09/03/2013, 12:05 PM

Quietly confident that Limerick can get a result. I like the look of the team, think they'll be up for it.

**NeverFeltBetter** · 10/03/2013, 7:09 PM

Well, that wasn't half-bad.

I'm not going to go on about it, but was disappointed to miss the start of the game. What's worse was that I was stuck next to some twerp of a kid who switched between slinging abuse to the ref for every decision, good or bad, and nagging his father to check the score of the Liverpool/Spurs game. So, was in a pretty bad mood for the first half. Limerick crowd seemed a little dead, mix of the problems getting in, lack of goalmouth action and the cold I would wager.

The team needs time and a few more games to click, but when they do I think they'll be a real handful for anyone in the top tier. There was a lot of good moments today where they strung together some decent passing and made some good opportunities. Generally looked strong when challenging for the ball, passed it well in the first two thirds of the field. If they could get a bit better at attacking crosses they'll have no problems, since that's where nearly all their good chances came from today. they just couldn't direct the ball on target.

Ryan had little to do but claimed balls well from corners. His big moment was that save from Horgan, which was excellent, spared the back lines blushes. Defence had some bad moments, were caught passing it around in their final third a bit too much, almost cost Limerick big time, but improved a lot in the second. Very impressed with Folan especially and I think it'll be a solid backline when Purcell returns. Midfield, O'Leary and Gamble had a good time of it, Tracy could have done with more supply. Forwards had little supply for a lot of the game, but Bossekota made some great runs on occasion, really caused some problems. Needs to work on the long shots though. Limerick worked it from the flanks to the centre well enough, but floundered inside the area. Lot of times a player should have just pulled the trigger but tried to pass it off instead.

Limerick were a bit off. Too many times they found space down the wings only for the player in possession to have to hold it up or pass back due to lack of options. They was a certain hesitancy in pushing forward, even when gaps were there to be found. Corner delivery was poor. Galbraith didn't have a great game, lot of miscontrol. He needed to take on defenders more because he made a great chance for Curren when he burst to the byline and crossed, but more often than not he slowed up attacks and just passed backwards. He was trying fancy moves and flicks too when it wasn't really required.

Stupid question maybe, but what's the story with Gaffney? Not in the squad at all, injured? He played pre-season didn't he? He'd have had a fine time against this Cork defence, they were easily muscled off the ball or sped past throughout.

Cork should have done a lot better, had the better chances in the first half, but when the second came they looked totally impotent upfront. Hope Behan was ok, he took a nasty blow to the head, not nice to see.

Overall, a good start for Limerick, I think they've improved since the end of last season and this team is capable of better things. Just need a bit of fine tuning, a few of the regulars to come back, and we'll be laughing.

**legendz** · 10/03/2013, 7:40 PM

It was hard to tell if the match had kicked off or not when it took that half hour to get in, half of which was when the match had kicked off. I didn't hear a big cheer at kick-off or any other stage. I guess there is a lot of novice League of Ireland supporters about who need time to learn the game but they will learn their trade!

**bluewhitearmy** · 10/03/2013, 7:43 PM

Originally Posted by legendz

It was hard to tell if the match had kicked off or not when it took that half hour to get in, half of which was when the match had kicked off. I didn't hear a big cheer at kick-off or any other stage. I guess there is a lot of novice League of Ireland supporters about who need time to learn the game but they will learn their trade!

That's because the fella doing announcements started talking over the fans w
hen the team came out. Bit annoying being honest.

**Treaty Gooner** · 10/03/2013, 9:50 PM

Great stadium, big crowd that was surely more than the 3500 that was announced. Good performance against a tried and tested Cork outfit. Thought we were a bit defensive minded and O'Callaghan could've cost us the game. Curran was busy, Axel got the crowd going early before he faded, Danny will be quality when he settles I reckon and the midfield did well.
Get a point on the road on Fri and lets open up a bit against UCD.

**fieldofmarkets** · 10/03/2013, 9:59 PM

Thought we were great. Was worried it would take a few games to gel, but it seams we already have. Some great football played. A couple extra runners into the box would be better, but a point in the first game is a great start.

**Jofspring** · 10/03/2013, 10:03 PM

Was talking to Stuart Taylor after it and he said they aren't going to get ahead of themselves, it's all about building on every performance one week at a time and working hard as a team. Nice fella in fairness and great to see all the players mixing with the fans in the function room after the game. Reminded me of rugby with the two teams sitting down for a meal together after the match and chatting to fans.

**AlanOB** · 10/03/2013, 11:20 PM

Looks like we finally have ourselves a tactically astute manager who is capable of reacting to in-game situations.

Started 4-4-2 but quickly changed the shape to 4-5-1 to match up man for man with Cork's 4-2-3-1/4-4-1-1. This meant a three man midfield of Gamble, O'Leary and Tracy, who for my money got the better of Healy, Duggan and Morrissey over the course of the game. O'Leary was particularly impressive, using the ball extremely well and almost scoring from a headed chance following a late run into the box in the second half.

The only problem with this shape in the first half was the lack of support for Curran. Both Axel and Galbraith were generally staying wide in the first half and support from midfield was sparse. This was rectified in the second half, with Tracy and O'Leary appearing in the box more regularly.

Cork went 4-4-2 midway through the second half, with Behan and Danny Morrissey introduced up top. Kavanagh played poorly and can't complain about being withdrawn. O'Callaghan had a dreadful game, but with Kavanagh upfront alone, he had the fantastic Folan in behind on the cover. Now with a 2 v 2, Taylor had a decision to make. He withdrew Calla, moving the impressive (and far more mobile) debutant Williams into the centre from left back.

At the same time he also made modifications elsewhere. Curran moved to the left, in an inside left role, with Tracy (now at left back) given licence to bomb on. Axel was now the primary striker, with Galbraith providing the width on the right. It was a clever move from the manager and almost resulted in a goal when Curran squared to sub Bradley who couldn't convert his chance.

Very encouraging stuff. All the debutants were very impressive with Folan getting the nod for MOTM for me. Galbraith gave Danny Murphy a torrid time on occasion too and Axel looks like he has a bit of pace in him (although end product may be an issue). Question marks over Nzuzi at times, as he tried to deal with Horgan, although I'm sure Shaun Kelly will be first choice in that position.

**thomas72** · 11/03/2013, 8:26 AM

I thought we were excellent to be honest should of won the game had enough chances 2nd half. Robbie Williams was excellent but o learys passing was unbelievable i knew premier would suit him more time on the ball great crowd aswell.

**NeverFeltBetter** · 11/03/2013, 8:41 AM

I've been informed Gaffney is carrying a bit of a knock and won't play for a few weeks. but I think he'll fit in with this team really well.

**Limk_FamilyGuy** · 11/03/2013, 8:58 AM

Excellent shout re:- Gaffney. Once we get him fit and firing as well as our first choice defenders back there are definitely grounds for cautious optimism based on yesterday's display.

A good start like this was vital so that everyone can get the necessary time and space to bed in - if you think of the amount of change in just a few short months, fair play to all concerned.

**redron** · 11/03/2013, 11:01 AM

The size of the pitch makes it easier to play flowing football.
The pitch seemed to play a bit slow yesterday, but it seemed to be smooth enough on top. I didn't notice much bobbling.

These are luxuries we've rarely had in the First Division, and certainly not at any of our home grounds.

The pitch at United Park is much tighter. I hope the surface there will be ok, as it was pretty poor when we played a pre-season friendly there last year.