Dear Pat plus whoever else is there.

[Lim till i die]

Now that that's done and dusted can we have no sulking like last year and get in a manager and ten or eleven players BEFORE the New Year?

Should be winning the first division tbf. :good:

Thanks x x.

[NeverFeltBetter]

I was wondering what the proper course would be if Limerick stayed up, bot for sure now: Martin Russell should be relieved at the earliest convenience. I was dead wrong in defending him earlier in the season. His job was to keep Limerick up, he failed. Unable to properly motivate players, constantly playing out of form players - his son and Kanyuka worst of all - and some bizarre tactical choices.

But that's just one part of the catastrophe. Pat O'Sullivan's choices this season - the budget cut, the supporter banning and some bizarre public announcements especially - deserve much criticism. There was the Market's Field delay as well and the resulting return to Jackman Park.

And there are the players, some of them anyway. You can make excuses for the youth, and some others did great work late on in the season. But too many of them just did not have it in them. Didn't try enough.

No easy bounce back next year, no way. The crowds will vanish again - Limerick bottling it when they turn up is practically a recurring joke at this point - and who is going to be enticed by four games against Cabinteely anyway? Typical POS delay on signing players to be expected, and then there will be Shels, the Students, and the possibility of a resurgent Drogheda or Waterford to contend with.

I hope they leave Kanyuka in Balleybofey.

[Lim till i die]

I didn't mean sack Russell. His contract is up I'd be amazed if he wanted to stay. (Or if there was any huge desire amongst the board to keep him tbf)

[NeverFeltBetter]

Yeah, you're right. I'm still processing it all.

[Lims4ever]

Knew that piece of **** of a pitch would go against them best of luck to harps anyway. I would stick with Martin Russell can't see any point changing him , no doubt a lot of players will go but how many would we want to hold onto , for me Kelly , Duggan , Tracy , Paul / Paudie o Connor , Freddie hall , dean Clarke , Faherty but I'm sure it will be a struggle to hold onto them . As disappointing as tonight is it was hard to see the club surviving at the start of the season it has come along way since then need to get a solid team to get out of the first division next season and very important the fans stick with the club too many times people fall off the bandwagon when times get tough I think the club is in a much stronger place this time around to bounce back straight away

[Treaty Gooner]

Russell's the wrong man to get us out of the division but who is the right man? Surely there's enough coaches with the right qualifications locally that could do it? Tommy Barrett? Jason O'Connor? Mike Kerley?

[NeverFeltBetter]

Pat Scully! :D

[Lim till i die]

One of those has the necessary qualifications (Mike Kerley) and he wouldn't touch us with a forty foot pole. It would be five years of finishing midtable in the first division with the nicest football playing all local team you've ever seen anyway

[Treaty Gooner]

Don't just need a UEFA A for the 1st division? Not a UEFA Pro I mean.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Man, what are the chances O'Sullivan walks away now?

[Lims4ever]

What about these new investors gone with the prem I suppose , can't see how people can point the finger at Russell the team he was given to work with till the transfer window was a joke , it's experienced players like lee Lynch that need to hold there hands up when we needed the likes of him most and a few others they never showed up you can see why he has blown all the chances he has had across the water shame cause he has big talent

[Lim till i die]

Tommy is qualified then.... Goody gumdrops.

Saying we can't point the finger at Russell then pointing it at Lee Lynch :D :bulgy:

[Treaty Gooner]

Not sure I could blame the players. The manager didn't sign a keeper for half the season, kept faith with Kanyuka and Sean Russell and kept playing out from the back when we were punished time and again for it. I'm gutted but we did deserve to go down I'm afraid.

[Lim till i die]

It's not on Russell either. The budget at the start of the season and the delay in giving it to him are at the root of this disgrace. I blame Russell for conor o donnell alright.

[Market's Field]

I agree. Time to find out if limerick people really do care about a senior soccer team. Don't see any benefit in finger pointing and recriminations. Let's learn from the mistakes and try to hold on to at least a portion of the momentum that has been built up. Time for cool heads and those who care about the future of limerick fc to rally round. Good thing is I think people got exposed to what it could be like.

[Market's Field]

Mean to quote Lims4ever first message which is what I was agreeing with

[Lim till i die]

If only those bold people of Limerick would care about their senior soccer team!! I'm going to limerick games over 20 years and in general the team gets the support it deserves.

Don't you DARE come on here and try to take a way our finger pointing and recrimination. They're the limerick fans bread and butter.

[NeverFeltBetter]

I wish I could be positive regards support, but no way anything but a few stick around I think. Limerick's average last season in FD was 734.

And as much as that bandwagon element gets flak for their fickleness, the team consistently messes up whenever they turn up.

[Lim till i die]

With the markets field (assuming we play there) we should be budgeting for 800-1200 and looking to dominate the division. There are no good teams.

But instead we will **** about until mid January have no manager and five and a half players for the first day of preseason, panic and throw a couple of grand at rubbish in late February and find ourselves out of contention by late april. Come June we will **** 100 grand up against a wall because the next season will be DIFFERENT.

[Charlie Darwin]

I was wondering what the proper course would be if Limerick stayed up, bot for sure now: Martin Russell should be relieved at the earliest convenience. I was dead wrong in defending him earlier in the season. His job was to keep Limerick up, he failed. Unable to properly motivate players, constantly playing out of form players - his son and Kanyuka worst of all - and some bizarre tactical choices.

But that's just one part of the catastrophe. Pat O'Sullivan's choices this season - the budget cut, the supporter banning and some bizarre public announcements especially - deserve much criticism. There was the Market's Field delay as well and the resulting return to Jackman Park.

And there are the players, some of them anyway. You can make excuses for the youth, and some others did great work late on in the season. But too many of them just did not have it in them. Didn't try enough.

No easy bounce back next year, no way. The crowds will vanish again - Limerick bottling it when they turn up is practically a recurring joke at this point - and who is going to be enticed by four games against Cabinteely anyway? Typical POS delay on signing players to be expected, and then there will be Shels, the Students, and the possibility of a resurgent Drogheda or Waterford to contend with.

I hope they leave Kanyuka in Balleybofey.
Kanyuka has been a disaster in the final few games but he was still a massive improvement on what you had before.

[bluewhitearmy]

What about these new investors gone with the prem I suppose , can't see how people can point the finger at Russell the team he was given to work with till the transfer window was a joke , it's experienced players like lee Lynch that need to hold there hands up when we needed the likes of him most and a few others they never showed up you can see why he has blown all the chances he has had across the water shame cause he has big talent


By "given" you mean the players he chose and signed yes?

[bluewhitearmy]

Last on the list of people being pointed out or blamed for all of this is the players except Kanyuka.

[thomas72]

With the markets field (assuming we play there) we should be budgeting for 800-1200 and looking to dominate the division. There are no good teams.

But instead we will **** about until mid January have no manager and five and a half players for the first day of preseason, panic and throw a couple of grand at rubbish in late February and find ourselves out of contention by late april. Come June we will **** 100 grand up against a wall because the next season will be DIFFERENT.


I totally agree that's what worries me most that messing around 7 players signed the beginning of pre season.

Overall I'm beyond gutted must admit when I heard it was non stop raining all day in donegal yesterday I feared the worst the pitch was shocking as it was add all that rain and the boys are trying to play on a cow patch.

Probably the most disappointing thing was everyone including the dog on the street could see Kanyuka was an accident waiting to happen and by jesus did he delivery spectacular yesterday of all days he should never of got near that side that was a huge costly error by Russell.

Going forward I don't know we're we go we are going to lose probably 70% 80% of that starting 11 as said above I just hope we get in player quickly and not ********* around in the middle of pre season with 7 players signed and all we are hearing the club are in talks with players.

On Martin Russell division one is a slog horrible pitches very physical is his style of play suited to that league? Imo no

[NeverFeltBetter]

Looking at the FD this season, I think Limerick should be considered equal to that top half (12 points between 4th and 5th) but Russell's record against FD opposition this year, and Drogs - 2 wins, 3 losses, 1 draw if you include the League Cup game - is not "Bounce back" form. While the limitations of the First Division help, with 3rd place enough to have a shot at promotion, I'm so uneasy about the future.

[Jofspring]

People are saying Martin Russell's style isn't the type of football to get us out of the first division but it isn't that cut and dried. Let's not forget he has won the first division before.

Usually the winner of the first division it's a combination of the most physical and the biggest budget but there are exceptions.

I didn't see Wexford last season but where they a big physical team hoofing the ball up the pitch? I find it hard to believe they where.

You need 3 things, a solid defense, a top midfielder and a 15-20 goals striker.

The club have said previously Martin will be going nowhere unless he decides he wants to. If Martin does go we do not need a local or young up and coming manager. We need someone with experience in the league that can bring in the right players. If we get a young up and coming manager then we need to give them time, possibly a few years.

If Martin stays then he needs to be more flexible in his approach and footballing philosophy. It's all well and good playing out from the back but need quality centre halfs to do that. For example of harps tried to play it out from the back against us we would have beat them handy. They played to their defenders strengths and reaped the rewards.

[bluewhitearmy]

Anyone hear Pat today on radio?

[LK37oldskool]

Yeah. Usual guff. If what he says comes true we'll be OK, but we've been here before. I really want to be proved wrong this time.

[Lim till i die]

What did he say? Did we sign a player?

[LK37oldskool]

He said the money is there for Martin to retain anyone from the current team. New structure in place to finance the club and take the pressure off him. He also asked the players to come to him first before accepting another offer from another club. More info to be released shortly.

[bluewhitearmy]

He said the money is there for Martin to retain anyone from the current team. New structure in place to finance the club and take the pressure off him. He also asked the players to come to him first before accepting another offer from another club. More info to be released shortly.

Well if that is the case we should be able to make a very decent first division squad even when some of the lads from this season move on.

[nigel-harps1954]

Pat sat in the seats in Finn Park for 40 minutes by himself after the game just watching everyone celebrating. He looked a broken man. Chat from the dressing room after the game that he's possibly walking away.

[LK37oldskool]

In fairness to him. He's saved the club and gave it a good foundation but it might be time for him to go although in his interview he said he's going nowhere. Without the new investment he's promised we'll be another 19 years in division 1.

[Jofspring]

Pat sat in the seats in Finn Park for 40 minutes by himself after the game just watching everyone celebrating. He looked a broken man. Chat from the dressing room after the game that he's possibly walking away.

He said about a week ago he has committed to two more years with more investors/businessmen coming in to help him. It seemed like it was regardless of what division we were in but you just never know.

[Lim till i die]

Less talky more signy.

Realistically at least seven or eight of that starting eleven are gone.

Can't afford another off season of absolute guff.

"More info to be released shortly" :good:

[Market's Field]

Pat sat in the seats in Finn Park for 40 minutes by himself after the game just watching everyone celebrating. He looked a broken man. Chat from the dressing room after the game that he's possibly walking away.

Would be massively surprised if he walked away.

[Jofspring]

May as well double this up as a who will stay who will go,

I think the following will stay:

Robbie Willams - seems to be settling here
Shaun Kelly - similar to Williams
Shane Tracey - local lad, fans like him, experienced.
Sean Russell - if Martin stays he should stay, thought he did well towards the end of the season.
Darragh Rainsford - local lad with the club a few years now, likely kept on.

Think we have a good chance that they'll stay:

Lee J Lynch - I reckon he needs to settle somewhere, has had a different club nearly every season for too many years now.
Shane Duggan - young family, Limerick man and captain. Hopefully Cork don't entice him down.
Ian Turner - back to cork? Hard to know, we took him when they didn't think he was good enough and Martin stuck with him.
Vinny Faherty - a player Galway didn't want anymore, Martin took him and took a punt on him. Hopefully he decides to stay on.

Not much hope of staying:

Paul O Connor - most likely get an offer from a Dublin club but like him to stay.
Dean Clarke - should have 3 or 4 offers on the table. Going to be hard to keep.
Patrick Kanyuka - released
Prince Ageymang - probably released, never given a chance under Martin Russell, looks like a very depressed young lad at the moment which is sad to see.
Ali Abass - got sick mid-season, not sure if that was actually a factor in him not playing, similar to prince.
Cyril Guedje - do I even need to say it.
Freddie Hall - would like him to stay but not sure his situation, offers elsewhere, what kind of wages he is on etc.

Then you have the players staying like:

Paudie O'Connor - still playing under 19's and a future senior team captain
Tony Whitehead - needs to step up as a regular next season, maybe as a full back instead of centre half.
Colm Murphy - not sure the story here, still injured?
Shane Costello - same, is he still injured?
Ross Mann - seems to be a good clubman, been on the bench most the season though so hard to tell how he will be in the first division.
Tommy Holland - if Hall and Ali gone then I'd like to see him maybe establish himself in the senior team, did well when called upon.
Val Feeney - tonnes of ability, looks class at under 19's, still hasn't shown it when given a chance, is next season his chance to do it.


From Junior soccer we should be looking at:

Garbhan Coughlan - bring him back in, still a class footballer, has won the first division twice and scored a few goals there too. Complete luxury player though with his style of football.
Keith Mawdsley - Young and scoring goals for fun in junior and with Herbertstown before that.
Aaron Nunan - I haven't actually seen him play if I'm honest but from talking to a lot of people he seems a very good prospect.

Hard to know if anyone else in the junior leagues to be honest but I hope Martin or whoever the manager is has a good look there. Plenty of time over the next two months.

[NeverFeltBetter]

That's a good summation Jofspring, gives me a bit of hope for sure.

I don't think O'Sullivan will walk away either, but you just never know what he will say or do next. I'm certain he took it harder than anyone last night of course.

[Market's Field]

Be surprised (but delighted if I'm wrong!) If Lee J and Shane Duggan hang around

[thomas72]

Pat o sullivan said this morning on radio that he and Martin Russell are staying on that he will be 100% chairman next season.

[Treaty Gooner]

Mawdsley's already been approached according to Facebook, by a number of LOI clubs apparently. Scoring goals for fun is right, has 24 or so. Sign him for the 19s and see how he does maybe?

[AlanOB]

There was no substance whatsoever to that article though, TG. Struck me as total clickbait material.

Having said that (and having watched the young lad a lot), he very much does have what it takes to play at a much higher level than the second tier of the LOI - if he gets the right coaching.

Easily the most natural finisher I've ever seen on the local scene. And that's not hyperbole. Movement is fantastic too, as is his first touch.

His contribution to general play is nil though. Just a pure poacher at the moment. But a tremendous one at that. Needs to be guided in the right direction pronto if he's to fulfil his massive potential.

[Jofspring]

Mawdsley's already been approached according to Facebook, by a number of LOI clubs apparently. Scoring goals for fun is right, has 24 or so. Sign him for the 19s and see how he does maybe?

Should definitely try get him in for the 19's with a view to senior team if the young lad wants it.

[da bishop]

amid huge disappointment can i say congratulations to Harps ,a great club with real football people.who despite massive problems continue to keep the ship afloat year after year and now against all the odds get their reward and well deserved too.as for us not sure where this love in with the current manager stems from.was manager of UCD ..relegated....has done the same for us only this time with a budget...a budget considerably more than more than half the teams in this league,Galways budget no where near ours for example,our demise is covered throughout the whole season ..no wins in 21-22 games?....ffs the team then had well established premier players in it ,but no wins?we have people here lambasting Kanyuka [with some merit]..yet we let our best player go last season in Oji.Russell messed up in Sligo too ..players throwing themselves into the crowd the chairman blowing kisses to all and sundry no respect shown to what was ahead and the opponents to be played....where was OUR 17 yr old coming on to score the winner??overhaul needed ,everything should be looked imo manager,his staff ,academy etc.

[Jofspring]

Martin Russell was our manager when UCD got relegated. Pete Mahon was the manager the last time they got relegated and Russell took over from Pete Mahon and got UCD promoted on the first attempt.

[bluewhitearmy]

as for us not sure where this love in with the current manager stems from.

a budget considerably more than more than half the teams in this league,Galways budget no where near ours for example,

ffs the team then had well established premier players in it ,but no wins?


Love in for the manager by who?

Us having a bigger budget than half the league is nonsense tbf our budget was slashed repeatedly in the off season and I would have a fairly good guess that you have no idea what Galways budget is.

Who were the well established premier players we had at the start of the season? Paul O Conor, Shane Duggan and Vinny Faherty were the only ones I can think of you can throw in Aidan Price who was finished too. And thats not to defend the manager I have said already I want him sacked.

[da bishop]

Martin Russell was our manager when UCD got relegated. Pete Mahon was the manager the last time they got relegated and Russell took over from Pete Mahon and got UCD promoted on the first attempt.Thanks for correcting me Jof ,i actually thought it was Russell or Aron o callaghan that managed them when they went down..under Russell they had a good first season back but then were fighting the drop after that..he then sued them?

[Jofspring]

Thanks for correcting me Jof ,i actually thought it was Russell or Aron o callaghan that managed them when they went down..under Russell they had a good first season back but then were fighting the drop after that..he then sued them?

Not sure about the suing to be honest.

The only reason I'd hold onto Martin is he has a good reputation with players around the league and has managed to get good players in when he has had the money to do so. It would also keep continuity rather than starting from scratch again with a whole new manager and a whole new squad.

Martin was told at the end of last season he had the same budget as when he came in which would have pushed us right into the top teams. Due to the markets field delays it got cut on three separate occasions and he had to keep adapting the players he was looking at signing to the budget. Galway kept a bit of continuity coming up and added a few players to give them enough to stay up.

I think we all know what is needed to challenge next season:

First of all a budget in place ASAP.
Secondly stick to it.
Then get as many players that we want signed up in the next two months and not January and Feburuary hoping to pick up scraps.
Talk to the players form last season and let them know if you want to keep them or not. If I hear one more time that a player from last season has been ignored for two months and left hanging then something seriously needs to happen within the club. Treating players like meat will do the club no favours.
Then when you have a squad ready to go, get a proper pre-season in and act as professional as possible.

[Jofspring]

Martin going nowhere as it stands.

http://m.limerickleader.ie/sport/limerick-sport/chairman-reveals-russell-to-remain-as-limerick-fc-boss-1-7055119#axzz3qzKIW6bw

[delboyderis]

What a bummer of way to end the season.hopefully they can hold onto some of the squad and sign a few experienced guys.need to start preparing now and have a squad assembled by christmas if possible and not leave it too late like last year.think positive for the new season and give it a good shot for promotion.