Once Shaun Kelly went off it was game over players all over the place out of position.
You'd have to question now if Martin Russell is the man to bring a club of our massive stature forward.
Good atmosphere,decent game,but lets face we were found out and in the premier it will be a regular thing with this manager,plus our fitness levels are atrocious.Russell will keep us in the top division just about but needs a clear out back stage .we did well to make the final tbf and overall despite defeat a good night for limerick soccer.
The defeat could be a huge positive for Limerick.
They have waltzed through the first division but it is an atrocious level of football.
Sullivan should now realise that if he doesn't invest in better players, they will struggle next season.
In addition, he will have seen that Russell was completely out thought by Buckley. Remember that Pats are not exactly setting the premier division on fire.
An awful lot of guff. Super first half, Russell Jr aside. 2 great chances to kill the game that weren't taken. That was the difference. That many injuries or that much disruption would hurt any team.
Agree with that Gooner. We did very well in the 1st half, were much more direct compared to Richmond Park and looked much more likely to score. Had to start Russell after that FAI cup game also. He did better on their winger and got forward plenty too and put in some good crosses. You could see us starting to tire 15 mins into the second half and start to make errors, passing became very inaccurate. Just as we should be making our 1st tactical sub, Kelly goes down and we are screwed, having to break up the midfield 3 by putting POC right back. Our midfield which was now already starting to be beat was weakened. I was looking for JOF on for maybe Green and putting Mullhall into left wing so I would criticise the withdrawal of Mullhall maybe....otherwise I think calling out MR is a little unfair.
Yes though.....good evidence v Pat's now that we are mid to lower reaches of the premier next year without some upgrades. Blessing in disguise?
Absolutely blew limerick away in the second half I thought Conan Byrne was brilliant.
Aaron Greene a spoofer on the left for Limerick. Pack him back to Dublin and let's get Turner and Dean Clarke two quality wingers back to the Markets Field. Conan Byrne given the freedom of the MF tonight. Could Russell not see this? We need 6 or 7 new players if we are gonna get in to Europe next year. On the positive side GREAT STADIUM GREAT CROWD GREAT POTENTIAL GREAT OCCASION AND GREAT AWAY SUPPORT.
Lots of apologists on here tonight. Lets be clear martin russell put himself in a world of horse manure with firstly his team selection and secondly his idiotic substitutions.
His son (who the club were ashamed to announce as signed) was again accommodated at the the expense of one of our constant best performers shane tracy. Last year we were religated by the shamrock rovers defeat live on tv with his son playing a disastrous game at left back again at the expense of shane tracy. Tonight martin Russell again put his own family ahead of the club by playing and failing to substitute his underperforming son.
Our fitness levels are not to premiere standards and yes changes have to be made there. I dont buy the injuries excuse, there was no one injured at the start of the game. And when our injuries do occur again this is down to our lack of fitness. Russell was slow making any substitution even though our midfielders and left back were being overwhelmed.
O'flynn was brought on for our biggest physical threat to pats mulhall, but kenny should have gone with mulhall to the wing. Russell and or o'conor off for tracy and mann.
Overall a missed opportunity, poor management again, if hes to continue his son should not be accommodated any further.
Last edited by gael353; 18/09/2016 at 6:52 AM.
It's not often I agree with Gael but the selection of Sean Russell over Tracey was shocking. Apart from a few decent crosses he was woeful. Couldn't defend to save his life. Greene shown up also, you could see why he ended up in a First division team. No where near a premier league player. Great occasion for limerick and shows what can be achieved going forward. Several spoofers need to go though. Not sure under current management that MR is the right man to take us forward to promised land.
Limerick had missed two absolute sitters 2nd half to kill off pats mulhall with a one on one and Kenny which could be only described as the miss of the season free header middle of the goal 6yards out you got to score them at this level I think the whole stand knew that would be costly.
Martin Russell definitely a no for me when putting family before the club hasn't the best intentions of the club at heart when accommodating his owe son and to make it worse leaving him on the pitch for 90mins when he was getting roasted from min one I just donto trust him to do the right thing as manager the whole stadium could see the problem bar Martin
Someone on twitter commented Michael D has done more for the promotion of the LoI than JD.
Limerick couldn't handle Pats pressure at all in the second half. They were on their feet with 15 to go. Obviously haven't seen any games other than the 2 v Pats but I'd imagine that's probably a sign they haven't been tested at all this season
Felt sorry for the full back getting absolutely no help from Aaron Greene as Conan Byrne destroyed him for an hour
On Pats, it's always nice to win a cup and for players like McGrath to perform so well on a big stage is a good sign for his future. Really enjoyable day
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