2016 EA Sports Cup

[thomas72]

Limerick fc v St Patrick's officially SOLD OUT
4,300

[MeathDrog]

Limerick fc v St Patrick's officially SOLD OUT
4,300
Great crowd but you can still tell that if the ground had a bit more work done you could add a few thousand to that. There's loads of potential for MF to be one of the best LOI grounds in the country.

[White Horse]

Limerick look so much fitter, stronger, and sharper than Pats.

[ger121]

Any streams?

[White Horse]

St pats have upped the tempo in the second half and are not giving Limerick time on the ball. Pats superior technical ability is beginning to show.

[nigel-harps1954]

Pat's far superior and even they have been sloppy at times. Really disappointed by Limerick as I'd expected so much more from them.

[White Horse]

Limerick self destructing in the second half.

[nigel-harps1954]

Limerick self destructing in the second half.

I don't think they did at all. A totally different Pats team came out for the second half. They were really poor in the first half.

[MattB11]

Congrats Pats, scoreline bit harsh on Limerick though

[White Horse]

Congrats Pats, scoreline bit harsh on Limerick though

Not harsh. Pats were so superior in the second half.

[Lim till i die]

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.

[White Horse]

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.

It was a return to the chaos of last season. Very disappointing to go from being in control in the first half to being battered in the second.

[thomas72]

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.

Fact he played his useless son over a player the quality of Shane Tracy was unbelievable should be sacked alone for that

[osarusan]

Limerick look so much fitter, stronger, and sharper than Pats.

And in the end it was the other way round. We put so much into the first half and we couldn't keep it up, and they were ruthless and clinical on the counter when they got in front. Fully deserved in the end.

That Kenny header though.

[da bishop]

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.

[White Horse]

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.

[Treaty Gooner]

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.

[fieldofmarkets]

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?

[D24Saint]

Absolutely blew limerick away in the second half I thought Conan Byrne was brilliant.

[LFC Blue]

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.

[gael353]

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.

[LK37oldskool]

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.

[Charlie Darwin]

Absolutely blew limerick away in the second half I thought Conan Byrne was brilliant.
Pats have the capability to blow anyone away, aside from Cork and Pats, but they never seem to do it for a full game.

[Charlie Darwin]

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.
It was an interesting choice alright. You'd think Martin would have learned from the time he played his son in Tallaght and the Limerick fans booed him for the entire game.

[El-Pietro]

It was a return to the chaos of last season. Very disappointing to go from being in control in the first half to being battered in the second.

Return?

[El-Pietro]

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.
You have no clue what you're talking about.

[thomas72]

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

[legendz]

Someone on twitter commented Michael D has done more for the promotion of the LoI than JD.

[Dodge]

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

[White Horse]

Absolutely blew limerick away in the second half I thought Conan Byrne was brilliant.

Cork fans may want to reconsider booking their hotel rooms for cup final day, just yet.

[Dodge]

Cork fans may want to reconsider booking their hotel rooms for cup final day, just yet.
There is a huge gulf in class between Cork and Limerick (And Pats for that matter). Still nice to see players like Byrne still put on top class performances

[oriel]

I missed this match, was looking forward to seeing it on TV also, pity as it sounded a decent game. Congrats to Pats, decent achievement holding on to the trophy, and sounds like they were much stronger in the second half.

Great to hear the game was a sell out, but reality check needed when you hear comments from a Limerick fan talking about Europe next season, need to consolidate first guys, plus you might have two away trips to likes of Dundalk, Cork, Dublin etc to deal with. It's a big step up.

[TonyD]

I missed this match, was looking forward to seeing it on TV also, pity as it sounded a decent game. Congrats to Pats, decent achievement holding on to the trophy, and sounds like they were much stronger in the second half. .

Yeah I thought it was a very good game ( even allowing for the fact that I would say that as we won)
Lots of chances at both ends. Pats were fairly dominant in the second half, but Limerick were still in in right up to the third goal. Last two scores put a bit of a gloss on it and were arguably harsh on Limerick.

I'd be very wary about reading anything into the game as regards the semi final against Cork. They are obviously a different kettle of fish, and we haven't competed well against the top teams this year. Hoping against hope though. I'd love another day out at the Aviva. Pats v Derry again ? Has a symmetry to it - 2012-14-16. ?

[thomas72]

I missed this match, was looking forward to seeing it on TV also, pity as it sounded a decent game. Congrats to Pats, decent achievement holding on to the trophy, and sounds like they were much stronger in the second half.

Great to hear the game was a sell out, but reality check needed when you hear comments from a Limerick fan talking about Europe next season, need to consolidate first guys, plus you might have two away trips to likes of Dundalk, Cork, Dublin etc to deal with. It's a big step up.

In fairness the chairman of limerick in a interview before the game said limerick will be very active in the off season and on the hunt for quality players to help to club challenge top four that's why few posters mentioned it on here.
Also said be impossible to prize away players from the likes of dundalk cork would be very tough.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Don't disagree much with anyone here, a season playing the likes of Cabinteely four times doesn't do much when you're going up against top-table PD opposition. Very disappointing to see the fitness levels plummet after 70 or so minutes, if Limerick had stuck one of those two glaring chances away early in the second, you might have seen them turtle up and hold on, but everything just fell to pieces.

I'm in two minds on Russell. For sure, his primary job was accomplished this season, but I'd argue that anybody could have been brought in and managed this squad to a comfortable victory in this First Division. His son should have been hauled off at HT: I'm not one of those who has slagged him off constantly, and I can tell you it was rather pitiful watching him get caught out of position and for pace every two minutes. I was watching the manager after one of his son's mistakes, and he was looking at the ground and shuffling his feet like he didn't want to acknowledge what was happening. Seanie has no place in a PD-level team.

It sucks that we had another big crowd disaster, and I'm as wary as ever of what the return to the top flight will bring. Players like Lynch and Williams had great games last night, as did Hall, but others like Duggan, Greene and Mulhall just faded away so easily. It's still just basically what a lot of us have been saying all season: shore up the defence, get some regular games against the top-flight, and Limerick can be a solid mid-table outfit, at least. This season was atrophy for those players, a gap year in the history of the club.

As for the Europe talk, what strikes me is how Limerick are caught now in regards the more casual support, who've turned out in droves this season while we win nearly every game. They won't keep turning up as we consolidate somewhere between 9th and 6th next season. If they want to keep the crowds, they'll have to be up there. They'll either have to spend big to challenge for that, or accept being back where they were before 2015's muppet show.

[Ballistinianlad]

Do Limerick even have a fitness coach? An assistant manager?
Martin Russell is frustrating. His team selection at times is baffling. Mainly due to how he will do whatever he can to start his little boy. It's wrong and you have to wonder if it bothers the other players. Then again what other managers are available? We've won a very poor first division. The two times we played a half decent premier team in pats we've been spanked. To the boys on about Europe. Slow down boys. Realistically unless we get some real top quality players. It will be 8-9th place again

[Jofspring]

Can we push on and start to challenge the top teams? Yes

Can we do it within one season? Not a bloody hope.

[NeverFeltBetter]

I also want to say, for someone who has been in the Market's Field maybe 6 times, the atmosphere the other night was really special, from both sets of fans, mostly. The smoke at the very beginning of the game was a bit dumb from the away stand, and it was amusing watching that one guy get tackled to the ground by the Garda after the equaliser, but it was good tempered.

[sadloserkid]

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

That's it in a nutshell I think. Ran themselves into the ground to compete and then ran out of steam. I think we were almost too wound up for it, possibly playing at too high a pace for our own good, caused us to give possession away needlessly at times and definitely contributed to the lack of energy at the end.

Hall, Williams and Lynch were excellent for me. O'Conor and Duggan in the middle were both disappointing. Russell was quite poor (1-2 crosses aside and even allowing for Aaron Greene's lack of endeavour). Overall it was a positive day forward for the club. Plenty to be learned from it though.

[nigel-harps1954]

Williams was decent for Limerick but he's put on an awful lot of weight since the play-off last year. Carrying at least two stone more than he should be.

[outspoken]

I also want to say, for someone who has been in the Market's Field maybe 6 times, the atmosphere the other night was really special, from both sets of fans, mostly. The smoke at the very beginning of the game was a bit dumb from the away stand, and it was amusing watching that one guy get tackled to the ground by the Garda after the equaliser, but it was good tempered.

Have to say it didn't really come across on tv. Before the goal there were large periods of silence. Thought last year was a better atmosphere. MF seems a bit too spread out.

[pateen]

Any highlights online?

[Dodge]

Any highlights online?

Check the eirsport twitter feed. All the goals there. Will be on Soccer Republic too tonight (and online shortly after)

[bluewhitearmy]

Have to say it didn't really come across on tv. Before the goal there were large periods of silence. Thought last year was a better atmosphere. MF seems a bit too spread out.

I think in terms of Limerick fans nerves hit us at a few stages and it was tough to keep going with em but I don't think there were that many periods of silence tbh

[Olander]

Williams was decent for Limerick but he's put on an awful lot of weight since the play-off last year. Carrying at least two stone more than he should be.
He's always been that fat, a decent premier division player, that's it.

[osarusan]

Highlights didn't include the Kenny header at 1-0 up, wtf?

[CraftyToePoke]

He's always been that fat, a decent premier division player, that's it.

I don't know about that, the man is increasingly inspired by BBCs Bake Off by the looks of it.

[CraftyToePoke]

Highlights didn't include the Kenny header at 1-0 up, wtf?

Are you serious ? That's akin to missing out the bit about the iceberg when telling the story of Titanic.

[legendz]

I was saying after Pat's knocked Limerick out of the cup that it was probably a reality check. The league cup final has arguably backed that up. Limerick have improvements to make if they are to be challenging higher than 10th next season.

[Jofspring]

A lot seem to be saying its a reality check but pretty much every limerick fan I know knows we needed to improve the squad for next year. The team we have now is good enough to compete and stay up in the premier but that's about it. The team this season was built to get us promoted and it was done handy in the end. Now it's a case of improve the squad and push on or keep it the same and stand still.