CHAMPIONS (surely)

[thomas72]

7 games to go six clear huge goal diff surely surely that should be it premier football is back in Limerick

[NeverFeltBetter]

Steady on.

[fc hammer]

Down with that sort of thing.

[Jofspring]

It will mean a serious **** up not to win the league now but lets not get a head of ourselves. Win 7 of our next 5 and we are champions. Each game one at a time.

[gael353]

It will mean a serious **** up not to win the league now but lets not get a head of ourselves. Win 7 of our next 5 and we are champions. Each game one at a time.

win 5 of the last 7 you mean? there was a time in a very bad place when after 10 games we had won 8 and were miles ahead of anything and finished lower mid table. it aint over till ....

[thomas72]

Win or next two games that should do it harps and waterford two tough games win them both and the champagne will be on ice also longford will have to make sure they win there games aswell.

[CraftyToePoke]

Well after I predicted a win and several goals 'surely' vs SD Galway recently I am keeping quiet a while yet but it has been a favourable weekend results wise. More than could reasonably have been expected across all fixtures, even.

An aside but related, if we were to go up, how many of the squad on this seasons performances could impact in the level above? Would there need to be a major overhaul again? I think we would be looking at the strikers myself, and width also but I don't see the team play as often as most on here.

[thomas72]

Imo we need a goalkeeper two centre halfs with pace a right full a top winger and a top striker to compete week in week out against top top teams just my opinion.

[Acornvilla]

Ye'll be grand lads, league won, congrats! based on how you win every single game against teams outside of Waterford and Longford its nigh on impossible for Skully to screw it up.

Not a hope of ourselves or Waterford making up the gap, just enjoy it!

[NeverFeltBetter]

You're fooling nobody ;)

[Acornvilla]

You're fooling nobody ;)
Have you watched us play!?

Tony's done a very solid job building up the team over the least few years, but, as the seasons progressed I'm beginning to trust his tactical knowledge less and less, I can see why he was never quite all that liked in Galway.

Ser its grand means I get to watch some PD footie in person more often no matter who goes up :D

[CraftyToePoke]

Have you watched us play!?

You impressed me last week, well set up. Set up to not lose and maybe nick it and good enough in possession most of the time to keep sustained pressure off. Broke well also at times.

[nigel-harps1954]

Steady on lads, you've still to play Harps next week ;)

[Jofspring]

win 5 of the last 7 you mean? there was a time in a very bad place when after 10 games we had won 8 and were miles ahead of anything and finished lower mid table. it aint over till ....

Ya sorry that's what I meant.




An aside but related, if we were to go up, how many of the squad on this seasons performances could impact in the level above? Would there need to be a major overhaul again? I think we would be looking at the strikers myself, and width also but I don't see the team play as often as most on here.

Most definitely need to make a few changes if promoted. We have a good basis of a squad though and should hang onto most the experience. We have a few under 19's that I think could play very well in the premier. Especially if teams come out to attack us. Speed is the main thing we lack defensively. add maybe 5 or 6 new faces and we should be grand.

[outspoken]

You impressed me last week, well set up. Set up to not lose and maybe nick it and good enough in possession most of the time to keep sustained pressure off. Broke well also at times.

We did well last week because both teams played long ball tactics it was an entertaining 2nd half but thats because we were hanging on in all reality we havent played well in a long time now......I still have a funny feeling Waterford could upset you for the title yet, tell me this whats the goal diff between yourselves and Waterford?

[Market's Field]

Waterford's goal difference is just 2 goals better than yers.

I hope this thread doesn't come back to haunt us. Too many false dawns to start counting our chickens too early. Lose to Finn Harps next week while Longford and Waterford win, charges the dynamic again. What this weekend gave us is a little more breathing space.

[outspoken]

So ye have a better GD than Waterford that could be crucial. Harps are a good team full of confidence right now so worst of luck next week :)

McHugh will be suspended that will probably save ye.

[nigel-harps1954]

McHugh suspended, que Jordy Duffy from the under-19s. The next Kevin McHugh at only 17 years old. Be a nice way to burst onto the scene with a goal against Limerick ;P

Do ye reckon there will be many Limerick fans up next week?

[abbeyvale]

1 Limerick 21 49
2 Waterford United 21 43
3 Longford Town 21 43


NEXT 5 SETS OF FIXTURES FOR THE TOP 3.......
17 Aug 2012 7:45pm Waterford United v Wexford Youths Regional Sports Centre
18 Aug 2012 7:30pm Longford Town v Mervue United Flancare Park
18 Aug 2012 7:45pm Finn Harps v Limerick Finn Park
31 Aug 2012 7:45pm Athlone Town v Longford Town Lissywollen
31 Aug 2012 7:45pm Limerick v Waterford United Jackman Park
7 Sep 2012 7:45pm Limerick v Mervue United Jackman Park
7 Sep 2012 7:45pm SD Galway v Waterford United Terryland Park
8 Sep 2012 7:30pm Longford Town v Wexford Youths Flancare Park
21 Sep 2012 7:45pm Waterford United v Longford Town Regional Sports Centre
21 Sep 2012 7:45pm SD Galway v Limerick Terryland Park
28 Sep 2012 7:45pm Limerick v Athlone Town Jackman Park
29 Sep 2012 7:30pm Longford Town v SD Galway Flancare Park

Limerick require a max of 65pts at present to win the league outright (thats 16 more pts ie 5 wins and a draw out of 7 games).

[nigel-harps1954]

My prediction after going through all the games.

Limerick 64pts
Longford 57pts
Waterford 56pts

[Lim till i die]

Steady on lads, you've still to play Harps next week ;)

Harps were coming off the back of three straight wins the last time we went up there and we beat ye very handily in the end.

If we play like we played in the first half in Wexford you've every chance. If we play like we played in the second we'll destroy ye.

If we do our usual mixture of both twill be a tight game.



Do ye reckon there will be many Limerick fans up next week?

Hard to know.

Crowd in Wexford was tiny, easily our smallest of the season. Three games the previous weekend and a fairly big crowd watched us get hammered in Tallaght on the Monday so twas understandable in fairness.

I'd say you could get thirty to forty though with the way the weekend panned out.



On the League in general I admit it looks good, Longford haven't really kicked a ball since we beat them up there and Waterford have started dropping silly points at home.

Four points in our next two games and we're champions.

Having said that we are more than capable of losing our next two games and plunging into crisis mode. Interesting times.

[nigel-harps1954]

The last time ye came up we had Felix Healy in charge, 3 very lucky wins in a row.

This time we're a different prospect. It's a completely different Harps team since Healy left. Guarantee a good game next week and if we get the ball down and play a bit without silly mistakes then we'll give ye a right game. Looking forward to a good game of football.

[Mr A]

Jeez. I click into a Limerick "CHAMPIONS" thread and come away worried that Harps are getting carried away!

[outspoken]

Looking at those remaining fixtures I can see Limerick slipping up against Harps and Waterford which let's both United and Town back in but after that I can see us dropping silly points against the likes of Wexford while we need our 2 biggest performances ever away to united and at home to Limerick so I wouldn't put a dime in us winning it but I'm really looking forward to watch should be an epic run in, best of luck to all!

[CraftyToePoke]

Are we there yet?
Are we there yet?

Or will we lose in Longford and have a seriously twitchy 90 at home to Wexford on the last day.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Not quite "NAME. ON. THE TROPHY" time just yet, but getting there.

[thomas72]

Really had to dig deep tonight playing with ten men for an hour. We should batter athlone next week there all over the place.
I think we will win it next week i think Finn harps will get something off waterford at home tough place to go

[gael353]

Waterfords key is Sean Maguire as hes young. Harps have been playing an entire 19s squad for some weeks now so id expect mr magure to be matched on this one. Three games left athlone are in a shambolic state. Longford and finish at home to Wexford. It could be over next week

[NeverFeltBetter]

To win the league next week, Limerick would have to win, Waterford would have to lose and Longford would have to drop points.

Just, mathematically speaking.

[abbeyvale]

1 Limerick 25 18 2 5 47 17 30 56
2 Waterford United 25 16 4 5 40 24 16 52
3 Longford Town 25 15 5 5 41 28 13 50


Results
21 Sep 2012 7:45pm Waterford United 4 - 2 Longford Town
21 Sep 2012 7:45pm SD Galway 0 - 1 Limerick

Fixtures
28 Sep 2012 7:45pm Limerick v Athlone Town
29 Sep 2012 7:30pm Longford Town v SD Galway
29 Sep 2012 7:45pm Finn Harps v Waterford United
5 Oct 2012 7:45pm Waterford United v Mervue United
6 Oct 2012 7:30pm Longford Town v Limerick
13 Oct 2012 7:45pm Athlone Town v Waterford United
13 Oct 2012 7:45pm Finn Harps v Longford Town
13 Oct 2012 7:45pm Limerick v Wexford Youths


A MAX OF 5PTS TO BE CHAMPS!!!!!!

[thomas72]

A win next week will finish off longford all we need is harps to take a point off waterford leaving us 6pts clear with two games remaining that will be that with or huge goal diff.

[Minesapint]

Well done to pat sully i know we are not promoted as such but cant see us been caught he done what a lot of managers tried to do but failed. also well done to all the staff and players and the chairman Pat sullivan.

[gael353]

TBH i think we've had it won for that last couple of weeks when the main rivals started dropping points in silly ways. Only a chancer would **** it up now.....but 4 points from a possible 21 against the two teams who could muster anything against us should lead to many many departures in the off season. Only 3 victories from the last 3 might maintain some ones employment with the club

[da bishop]

TBH i think we've had it won for that last couple of weeks when the main rivals started dropping points in silly ways. Only a chancer would **** it up now.....but 4 points from a possible 21 against the two teams who could muster anything against us should lead to many many departures in the off season. Only 3 victories from the last 3 might maintain some ones employment with the club

its a cruel but honest professional assessment.

[Minesapint]

TBH i think we've had it won for that last couple of weeks when the main rivals started dropping points in silly ways. Only a chancer would **** it up now.....but 4 points from a possible 21 against the two teams who could muster anything against us should lead to many many departures in the off season. Only 3 victories from the last 3 might maintain some ones employment with the club
I would disagree pat scullys job was to get limerick promoted that's what he is about to do, the team with the most points is the most consistent the table doesnt lie i would have to say dropping points to the teams close to limerick wasn't ideal but its all about what happens at the end of the season, it took scully along time to get the club promoted and fairplay to the sullivan for sticking with it.

[NeverFeltBetter]

If Limerick get promoted, I can't see Scully being sacked. That was his job, and he will have achieved it, even if the manner of it being done was very haphazard.

Personally I think Limerick would be doing much better with someone else in charge, but I don't expect him to be gone when next season starts....if we get promoted.

[Minesapint]

If Limerick get promoted, I can't see Scully being sacked. That was his job, and he will have achieved it, even if the manner of it being done was very haphazard.

Personally I think Limerick would be doing much better with someone else in charge, but I don't expect him to be gone when next season starts....if we get promoted.
He got us promoted and i think he and the team will be very comfortable in the premier it was rocky at times but at least we have the top teams coming to limerick next year, he should be given the chance.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Limerick are not promoted yet. Seriously, we have a four point lead with nine left to play for. Talk about being "comfortable in the premier" is very premature and will be until we have a bigger points lead than points left to play for.

[Minesapint]

We wont be caught :hat:

[CraftyToePoke]

He got us promoted and i think he and the team will be very comfortable in the premier it was rocky at times but at least we have the top teams coming to limerick next year, he should be given the chance.

I hope you are right but I'd be worried the opposite could be on the cards, I mean, these top teams coming to Limerick when we have failed completely over his three seasons to perform on a big occasion at home for a start, suddenly every week will be a big club/occasion. Then couple that with virtually all our promotion (hopefully) points coming against the softer Div One sides, I don't see too many similar fixtures waiting in the division above where teams will yield handy points.

Now, fair play to him for getting us up, its where Limerick soccer belongs and its great to be back, but we haven't beaten a rival side at home in three seasons and we will have to be strong at home, as away trips will be bloody difficult up top, with this major fault line still running through Scully's tenure as Limerick manager Id be more cautious.

[Minesapint]

I hope you are right but I'd be worried the opposite could be on the cards, I mean, these top teams coming to Limerick when we have failed completely over his three seasons to perform on a big occasion at home for a start, suddenly every week will be a big club/occasion. Then couple that with virtually all our promotion (hopefully) points coming against the softer Div One sides, I don't see too many similar fixtures waiting in the division above where teams will yield handy points.

Now, fair play to him for getting us up, its where Limerick soccer belongs and its great to be back, but we haven't beaten a rival side at home in three seasons and we will have to be strong at home, as away trips will be bloody difficult up top, with this major fault line still running through Scully's tenure as Limerick manager Id be more cautious.
We have a lot of players that played in the premier division and will know what to expect i think that will be an advantage to limerick i think a few will go Pat purcell will be past that level for sure and a few others but at least been in the premier will attract better players.

[bluewhitearmy]

We have a lot of players that played in the premier division and will know what to expect i think that will be an advantage to limerick i think a few will go Pat purcell will be past that level for sure and a few others but at least been in the premier will attract better players.


Thats complete bull imo Paddy will be fine up there with a good partner next to him. Hes a lot better then anything UCD,Dundalk ,Bray or Shels have anyway.

[Jofspring]

Ya Paddy with another good centre half definitely has a few years in the premier in him. He needs a quicker centre back partner but he is fitter than I ever saw him.

[da bishop]

purcell still the best centre half in the division and will comfortably hold his own if and when premier comes calling once he stays fit.

[gael353]

In the four years/seasons that Pat Scully and his dog have been at the club. The record against the teams that mattered
2009
Shels 1 Limerick 0
Fingal 1 Limerick 1
Limerick 0 UCD 0
Limerick 0 Shels 1
Limerick 1 Fingal 4
UCD 2 Limerick 1
Shels 3 Limerick 3
Fingal 2 Limerick 1
2010
Limerick 0 Derry 1
Waterford 2 Limerick 1
Monaghan 2 Limerick 1
Derry 0 Limerick 0
Limerick 0 Waterford 0
Limerick 1 Monaghan 1
Limerick 0 Derry 1
Waterford 3 Limerick 0
Monaghan 0 Limerick 0

2011
Cork 1 Limerick 0
Shels 1 Limerick 1
Monaghan 1 Limerick 1
Limerick 0 Cork 0
Limerick 0 Shels 3
Limerick 0 Monaghan 2
Cork 3 Limerick 3
Shels 1 Limerick 2
Monaghan 0 Limerick 1

2012...so far
Waterford 3 Limerick 1
Limerick 1 Longford 2
Limerick 0 Waterford 1
Longford 0 Limerick 2
Waterford 2 Limerick 1
Limerick 0 Longford 0
Limerick 0 Waterford 1

With that Monaghan team winning the ea cup over the weekend i wouldnt be too sure about our future with the current management in charge.
If we go up id say he will be in charge but in the past Dundalk sacked john Gill when they got promoted (Limerick beat them 3 out of 4 that season with a group of kids) Others would have had us promoted 2 seasons ago with the effort that Pat O'Sullivan, staff and volenteers have put in over the years

[bluewhitearmy]

In the four years/seasons that Pat Scully and his dog have been at the club. The record against the teams that mattered
2009
Shels 1 Limerick 0
Fingal 1 Limerick 1
Limerick 0 UCD 0
Limerick 0 Shels 1
Limerick 1 Fingal 4
UCD 2 Limerick 1
Shels 3 Limerick 3
Fingal 2 Limerick 1
2010
Limerick 0 Derry 1
Waterford 2 Limerick 1
Monaghan 2 Limerick 1
Derry 0 Limerick 0
Limerick 0 Waterford 0
Limerick 1 Monaghan 1
Limerick 0 Derry 1
Waterford 3 Limerick 0
Monaghan 0 Limerick 0

2011
Cork 1 Limerick 0
Shels 1 Limerick 1
Monaghan 1 Limerick 1
Limerick 0 Cork 0
Limerick 0 Shels 3
Limerick 0 Monaghan 2
Cork 3 Limerick 3
Shels 1 Limerick 2
Monaghan 0 Limerick 1

2012...so far
Waterford 3 Limerick 1
Limerick 1 Longford 2
Limerick 0 Waterford 1
Longford 0 Limerick 2
Waterford 2 Limerick 1
Limerick 0 Longford 0
Limerick 0 Waterford 1

With that Monaghan team winning the ea cup over the weekend i wouldnt be too sure about our future with the current management in charge.
If we go up id say he will be in charge but in the past Dundalk sacked john Gill when they got promoted (Limerick beat them 3 out of 4 that season with a group of kids) Others would have had us promoted 2 seasons ago with the effort that Pat O'Sullivan, staff and volenteers have put in over the years

That is bloody depressing.

[gael353]

That is bloody depressing.

i know like.....four years!!!!!

[bluewhitearmy]

i know like.....four years!!!!!

20 points i think it is.

[gael353]

21.....from a possible 96 points

[CraftyToePoke]

That is bloody depressing.


Exactly, it begs the question why people think we will suddenly start putting away sides at home or away that we will be coming across in the Prem when all evidence so far suggests otherwise. Strongly.

I remember 95FM guy saying to Scully after the recent defeat at home to Waterford, that everything would be OK and forgotten if they could make amends and get it all back on track the following weekend against Mervue. I couldn't believe what I was hearing, and if the interviewer was actually unaware or just not being allowed to ask the real questions.