Into The Blue: Limerick v Dundalk - 4 April 2015 by Limerick FC

BLUE into the

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MERICK

1937

Limerick’s Official Matchday Magazine

L I M E R I C K v r s D U N DA L K SSE AIRTRICITY PREMIER LEAGUE. J A C K M A N P A R K . S A T U R D AY 4 T H APRIL 2015, 6:30PM. F i r s t -Te a m 2 0 1 5 P r o g r a m m e Collection, Issue 4.

HERO STATUS

CHAMPIONS! Under-19s Claim The League Title

FOCUS ON FAHERTY Dundalk Old Boy On New Shores

greenhegroupt

Dundalk’s Adopted Son Colin Scanlan On THAT Goal In Tolka

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GROUND REGULATIONS All persons entering this stadium are admitted only subject to the following ground rules and regulations of Limerick FC. Entry to the stadium shall be deemed to constitute unqualified acceptance of these rules and regulations. Fireworks, smoke canisters, bottles, glasses, cans, flags, banners, poles, laser pens, flares or any similar articles or containers including anything that could be used as a weapon are not permitted in the stadium. Any person in possession of such items may be refused entry or ejected from the stadium. Regulations • Persons are not permitted to bring alcohol into the stadium.

Contents:

• The unauthorised climbing of floodlight pylons, stands or other buildings in the stadium is forbidden. • Under no circumstances is it permitted to throw any object onto the field of play. • Unnecessary noise such as that from the use of radio sets and behaviour likely to cause confusion or nuisance of any kind, including foul and abusive language or racist remarks, is not permitted in the stadium. • Unauthorised persons are not permitted to enter the field of play at any time.

TOLKA 2008

BYRNE-ING AMBITION

be ejected from the stadium. • In general, the right of admission is reserved to the Ground Management. any person who refuses to be searched by a member of An Garda Síochána. • Any person who remains in an unauthorised area may be ejected from the stadium. • Racist abuse of any form will not be tolerated. • The Ground Management reserves the right to remove from the ground any person who does not comply with the ground regulations or whose presence in the ground could be reasonably construed as constituting a source of danger, nuisance or annoyance to other spectators. • The moving of one area of the stadium to another without the permission of a steward, the Gardaí or other authorised agent of the club is forbidden. • Any person attempting to gain admission to, or being found within, a section of the ground designated for members only without the appropriate authori-

CHAMPIONS

to offer sale or distribute any newspaper, periodical or any other article.

rules and the rules of the FAI and SSE Airtricity League. Entry to the ground should be unqualified acceptance. • In the event of the match being postponed or abandoned, any refund of the admission charge will be at the sole discretion of the club management. This is subject to a time limitation, the details of which are available from the club’s office. Persons entering the ground are advised to retain their ticket stub as this may be required to be produced at a later date.

Dundalk forward Kurtis Byrne reflects on a "special night" that saw the club crowned Champions for the first time in 19 years.

FOCUS ON FAHERTY

• Only persons authorised in writing by the club’s management are permitted

• Persons are admitted to this ground subject to their acceptance of these

Colin Scanlan recalls the night his goal against Shelbourne propelled Dundalk back to the Premier Division in the most dramatic of final-day deciders.

sation may be ejected from the ground.

• Any person found damaging or defacing property will be prosecuted.

Manager Martin Russell focusses on tonight's challenge against the reigning League Champions and looks at their rise from the brink just over two years ago.

• Any persons who fail to comply with the instructions from the stewards may

• The Ground Management reserves the right to refuse admission to or eject

MANAGER'S OFFICE

Striker Vinny Faherty talks about his career path which included working under Stephen Kenny in his first season in charge at Oriel Park in 2013.

Tommy Barrett talks about his team's success in winning the Under-19 Southern Elite Division title in Cobh last Tuesday night.

MANAGER'S OFFICE

“YOU WANT TO TEST YOURSELF AGAINST THE ONES THAT ARE LEADING THE WAY AND DUNDALK ARE DEFINITELY DOING THAT – NOBODY HAS SCORED AGAINST THEM YET AND

MANAGER’S OFFICE

THEY HAVE GOT MAXIMUM POINTS”

ood evening and welcome back to Jackman Park for this evening’s visit of reigning Premier Division Champions Dundalk. We welcome Stephen Kenny, the players, backroom team, supporters and officials of Dundalk who have made the trip to Limerick on this Easter Weekend. This is another extremely tough test for us but we showed seven days ago that we can be competitive against the top sides and hopefully that will again be the case.

leadi n g the way and Dundalk are definitely doing that – nobody has scored against them yet in the league and they have got maximum points from the first five games. They will come here full of confidence, but we have gained a lot of belief in ourselves in the last few weeks. I think if we can continue to put the effort in that we have been then we’ll do well against them.

I am sure Saint Patrick’s Athletic came off the field last Saturday feeling glad to get out with the win. We put a lot of effort into the game. There are no easy matches, particularly against the top teams like Dundalk and St. Pat’s. With the quality of players that they can put out on the pitch it was always going to be a big ask for where we’re at. But we gave them a lot of questions and probably on another night we could have got a draw out of the game. Tonight is another great game. You want to test yourself against the ones that are

Early on in the campaign, you want to get as many points as possible and your first win as soon as you can. It is still early days in the course of everybody, whether it’s the team at the top of the league or at the bottom. All we can do is go into each game and try to get maximum points and try to play well enough to do that. As far as I can see, it’s possible to go into each game looking to win now with the group that we have. They have been working ever so hard in training and in the last few games our play has made us com-

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petitive. We probably should have got more points than we did, particularly in the two draws against Longford Town and Drogheda United. I’ve said it before that the club can only grow stronger with more people coming on board, through supporters coming through the gates or business people getting alongside Pat O’Sullivan and trying to drive it on. Those people may say that they want to see success first. It’s chicken and egg. You’re likely to get success with more resources. People may well jump on the bandwagon, like has happened at Dundalk. You remember Dundalk in 2012 and their crowds were very low but as soon as they had success, over the last couple of seasons, they have been getting two or three thousand. That may well happen at Limerick when things prosper, which they can do, because down the road there are structures in place that will help the club have more resources with its own training ground and not having to spend on renting those facilities. But it will happen quicker if people get behind the club even more so. We are always appealing for people to come out and watch the lads. They are a good, young group of lads, they give their all for the club and they need support. There are four players now regularly starting for Dundalk that are ex-UCD players. It shows you that if you’ve got patience with young players that they can do it at the top level here in the country. Some of the players that we have got here at the moment, we will be encouraging to follow the likes of those lads in performance levels. But it does take a little bit of time and the

belief of getting a couple of wins as well. Even the fact that we ran St. Pat’s so close is a real positive that we can compete in this league, and if more resources come along then that will help us further. I would like to compete against Dundalk and see how far we are off them and what we need to do to get better. Dundalk are a good passing side, strong in a lot of areas and definitely will have the utmost respect from us this evening. But we will give it everything and hopefully come out with a positive result. I take this opportunity to – on behalf of everybody in the first-team setup – send my congratulations to Tommy Barrett, his Under-19 squad and backroom team on their fantastic achievement of winning the Southern Elite Division title earlier this week. They have had a great season so far and to qualify for the quarter-finals as League Champions will give them great confidence going into the Knockout Phase and also going forward. People have seen the emergence this season of the likes of Paudie O’Connor, who is still only 17, and hopefully others can continue to progress and follow in his footsteps into the first team in the future. We wish everybody involved the best of luck in the rest of the competition, which now brings in the teams from the Northern Elite Division. It will be a good test for them against Shelbourne next weekend but hopefully they can go on and enjoy more success. Thanks for your support and enjoy the game, Martin Russell.

INSIDE THE DRESSING-ROOM : PAUL O'CONOR

INSIDE THE DRESSING-ROOM

ood evening and welcome back to Jackman Park for our SSE Airtricity League Premier Division match against Dundalk. It has not been the ideal start that we would have hoped for, but I think the thing we have to concentrate on is that our performances are getting a little better game-by-game.

We had a rough start obviously losing at home to Bohemians and then we had a bad night in Cork. But looking back on last weekend’s game here against Saint Patrick’s Athletic, I think we might have been unlucky not to get anything from it. I thought in the second half we really put them under pressure. We have obviously got the reigning Champions coming to us this evening but it’s a game that we’re looking forward to. With each game, we’re improving, so hopefully we can get a result here and push on. I have been very happy with recent displays, although I was very disappointed with the draw at Drogheda United 11 days ago. That was maybe two points lost. We didn’t really apply ourselves in the second half as we should have when they were down to ten men. At the stage we’re at, we probably would have taken a point before the game because Drogheda were on a good run of form. You find in a lot of games when the other team goes down to ten men, the team with 11 men end up taking their foot off the gas and thinking that the game will be comfortable for them. But Drogheda put it up to us and, to be fair to them, they came out in the second half and they really did make it hard for us. We all want to be picking up three points when we can in a situation like that. Still, I think we’re moving in the right

INSIDE THE DRESSING -ROOM WITH OUR MIDFIELDER “THE TEAM AND THE DRESSING-ROOM ARE STILL POSITIVE EVEN THOUGH IT HAS BEEN A ROUGH START. AS LONG AS PEOPLE ARE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION I THINK WE’LL BE OKAY”

direction which is the important thing. I thought we played really well against St. Pat’s. Unfortunately the goals that we conceded were very sloppy. The first one was from a set-piece; people weren’t tuned in and that sort of thing can be punished by a team like St. Pat’s. The second goal was just a long ball. But I thought in general we played very well in the game. In the second half, we played really, really well and that is what we’ve got to be

“JAY IS A GREA

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night. Dundalk haven’t conceded a goal yet, they’re top of the table and they’re flying. They’re a great team. They have added to what they had last year so they’re going to be extremely tough opposition. Obviously, it’s very early days at the moment but after watching them against Sligo Rovers last week I thought they were quality all over the park, from their goalkeeper all the way up to Dave McMillan up top. They have added Ronan Finn which obviously adds to their midfield which was already strong. They’re certainly going to be up there. I think at the moment they’re the team to beat. When you go the first five games without conceding a goal, you’re going to be title favourites. The odds of us beating them are obviously big but that’s not something that we’re really going to care about. I think the thing all teams will find when they come here to Jackman Park is it’s not an easy place to come and play. We’re going to make sure that we give it everything and try to put in a performance like we did in the second half last weekend. Hopefully, from that, we will earn a positive result.

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focussing on – that sort of positive. That is the performance we need to take into this game against Dundalk. We’ll try to get a result and then we’ll look to the next two games, against Bray Wanderers and Galway United. They are teams around us so we’ll be looking to pick up more points there. They’re obviously going to be big but – without using clichés – you have to take these things one game at a time. We certainly believe that we can come out with a result against Dundalk to-

I’ve loved my time here so far. It has been very enjoyable. It’s a great squad. It’s a young squad but it’s an enjoyable one to be around. Everyone wants to improve. Bringing Jay Hughes in has been a great addition. He’s great around the dressing-room and a great player. It helps when you have players like that adding to the squad, keeping competition going and keeping people interested. The team and the dressing-room are still positive even though it has been a rough start. As long as people are moving in the right direction I think we’ll be okay. Enjoy the game, Paul O’Conor.

THE BOARDROOM: PAT O'SULLIVAN

the boardroom

e extend a warm welcome to you all to tonight’s league match against Dundalk. We particularly welcome all our visitors from Dundalk – Stephen Kenny, their players, backroom team, officials and supporters who have travelled to our city this evening. I take this opportunity to congratulate everybody at Dundalk on winning the Premier Division title last season; it was a great achievement. With them having strengthened their squad over the winter we know it will be a very difficult challenge for us today. However, it is one I know Martin and the players are relishing and hopefully we can earn a positive result.

If that were to happen, it would cap off a wonderful week for the club. I would like to focus on the fantastic achievement of our Under-19 team in winning the Southern Elite Division earlier this week. Congratulations to Tommy Barrett, his players and backroom team on doing so in splendid style having won eight of their final nine games. They can now look forward to their quarter-final with Shelbourne next weekend with great confidence having already put one piece of silverware in the cabinet. Everyone at the club were very proud to bring the league trophy back to Limerick last Tuesday night and everyone in the city should be very proud of how Tommy and these young players have represented us throughout the season. It is an acknowledgement of what Limerick can produce if we put the effort into nurturing and developing our young players, and helping them to be professional in their approach. Personally, I am delighted for them, as you could see with me jumping the

wall at the end of the match! It is fantastic for the club and it is reward for the patience that we have shown over the past four years and the confidence we had in our investment and in the management structure right through. It is an acknowledgement for everybody associated there, right from the Baby Blues up, and indeed to all of the clubs around Limerick that have contributed these players to us. I think a lot of them will go on to enjoy their football and hopefully play with our senior team because they are the lifeblood of the club. I have a particular affinity with young people and helping them to live their dream. I was young myself once and I always keep that in mind. There are so many young, talented footballers around the Mid-West region. I think if we all work together, as we are already showing, we can produce an awful lot of high-quality young players. We can see that in the shape of Paudie O’Connor now in the first team at just 17 – may many follow his lead. Thanks for your support and enjoy the game, Pat O’Sullivan.

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BACK IN TIME: 2008 FINAL DAY

PROMOTING DUNDALK: Colin recalls the moment “pin dropped” in Tolka

ne man. Two words. Colin Scanlan. A Limerick man that Dundalk supporters will never forget. Rewind to 15 November 2008, Shelbourne were leading the First Division title race and needed just one more victory, at home to Mike Kerley’s Limerick on the final day, to seal the league and promotion. Dundalk travelled to lowly Kildare County needing a huge favour. But as the final whistle blew on a 6-1 coast at Station Road with Shels 1-0 in front in the capital, they prepared themselves for another season of First Division misery. Step forward that man. Previously an unknown figure had written himself into Dundalk’s history books as his arrowed strike sensationally ended the Lilywhites’ seven-year exile from the top flight. Scanlan had come up through the youth ranks at Aylesbury United in England and went on to play for Stevenage Borough, before heading to Hong Kong. That had initially been on trial but he remained there for 18 months, between Hong Kong FC and Hong Kong Rangers, before returning to Ireland where he signed for Limerick in the summer of 2008. “That was an experience and a half, to say the least,” Colin tells Into The Blue, reflecting on his time in Hong Kong. “I suppose, really, I just had a calling to come back to

Ireland. I was born and bred in Limerick and still had family there, so I came back to be close to my family. When I came back then, I had arranged a couple of trials with the Premier teams, not realising the amount of travel it takes from one end of Ireland to the other. I trained with Limerick, Mike Kerley was the manager at the time and I ended up signing for them.” Ultimately, it proved the season’s most crucial signature. Come that game in Tolka Park, Limerick were fifth, with little to play for. Now, Colin reflects on that famous night. “I suppose it’s like anything, really – the lads wanted to finish the season on a high,” he says. “We knew we could make a difference to how the league finished. I think all the lads had that in their minds. For us, it was just going out and preparing right for it, being as professional as possible on the way up and getting our mindset on the game-plan. We battled throughout the game. I came on with a few minutes to go; the manager said ‘go out and try to create a couple of chances’. I just remember there were 2,000 Shelbourne fans on one side and the Limerick fans were on the other side, behind the goal. The Shelbourne fans were kind of celebrating already because it was ten minutes before they won the league. I went on and tried to make things happen, tried to make things work and see if I could do anything – try to get a cross in or a shot off, and try to be busy enough around the box. From what I remember, I think we had a corner, it got put back in and whatever way it was, it dropped to me at the edge of the box. I tried to give it a good strike of the ball, I hit it well and it hit the back of the net. It was just euphoria, really.

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THAT GOAL REMEMBERED There were a lot of Limerick fans behind the goal and they went absolutely crazy. Outside of that, I think you could probably hear a pin drop in the rest of the stadium. Their 2,000 fans went dead quiet. It was a strange atmosphere for the next couple of minutes. There was a lot of shock. For us, it was just like we had won the FA Cup final.To really play a part in how the season finished and to come away with a point was great, and to finish the year on a high as well. “Monday Night Soccer was on a couple of nights later and they did kind of an arty piece and it showed that the Dundalk game had finished earlier and they were waiting on the result from us. Then they got to the final whistle and the place just went absolutely crazy. There were huge, huge celebrations from their side. I heard a few interviews from Shelbourne players saying ‘what were Limerick thinking of’. I thought it was interesting enough that they expected Limerick or any team to go up and roll over and let them win the league. It was complacency on their behalf. I was hearing a lot back from Foot.ie and Facebook and other media sites from Dundalk fans after it. I got a call from the local radio station as well. There was a really positive reaction, inviting me up to Dundalk for a couple of drinks, a few celebrations and a bit of gratitude put my way. I never had a chance

“I HIT IT WELL AND IT HIT THE BACK OF THE NET. IT WAS JUST EUPHORIA, REALLY. I THINK YOU COULD PROBABLY HEAR A PIN DROP IN THE REST OF THE STADIUM”

to go up. It was always on the to do list, to go up and meet some of the fans and people involved with Dundalk because I got a great reaction from them. It comes up every now and then. I know the Limerick fans had an old song to do with it, which was always good to hear. It always brought a smile to my face. Dundalk have been up ever since and done really well, so it’s good to know you kind of helped in that sense.” These days, Colin is a Youth Worker locally and plays with Geraldines, having recently been an Academy coach at Limerick. Jason Hughes is the sole survivor from that Limerick team. Photo: Sportsfile

UNDER-15S

UNDERAGE FOCUS: KELLY EYES “BIGGEST DREAM” Askeaton boy sees pathway to first team

nder-15 midfielder Ray Kelly is hoping to one day realise his “biggest dream ever” by lining out for Limerick’s first team. But for now he wants to impress sufficiently to secure a place in the club’s Under-17 National League squad. Kelly started out with Askeaton at Under-6 level and remained there until Under-14, playing in last year’s Kennedy Cup with the Limerick Desmond League under Ger Costelloe, who then brought him to the Superblues this term. Initially, he played on the right wing before moving into a more central role. “I enjoyed my time at Askeaton; the training was good and it brought me a long way in soccer,” Ray told Into The Blue. “It improved me a lot. We won the Division in Under-8s and Under-12s. We did well in a few Cups as well, so it was good. The Kennedy Cup was a good experience. We finished 20th but the experience was all that mattered, really. It was a very good standard. We had the DDSL, the winners of it, in our group so that taught us a lot – how they play and how they move the ball quickly.” Kelly has already been part of the Under-16 Division One title-winning squad at Limerick this season and they reached the quarter-finals of the Evans National Cup where they exited to Saint Joseph’s Boys a fortnight ago. “Ger was the manager for our Kennedy Cup team so he brought me in here,” the youngster explained. “He talked to me about it so I came in for a trial. I was hoping for the best and it turned out well. I was very happy to sign. Obviously, it was a big step-up from Askeaton but I was delighted with it. Playing matches every weekend has been good and getting so far in the National Cup. I never got that far with Askeaton so I was delighted to get to that stage with Limerick. St. Joseph’s were a very good team; they have a lot of players from the Kennedy Cup DDSL team so the standard was very high.”

On his hopes for the future, Ray said: “Hopefully, I’ll keep moving up the ranks, up to the 16s, 17s, 19s and then hopefully onto the first team. That’s probably my biggest dream ever. Hopefully, I can get that far. The 17s National League is a big aim. With the manager (Dave Dineen) there every night, you have to play your best because he’s watching us to see what we can do. That encourages me a lot – you have to play well in front of him to make the 17s squad, so I try to do my best at training to impress him and obviously Ger and Gary (Manning) as well. Winning the Under-16s was a big achievement for us so hopefully we can push on and win the Under-15 League and a few other trophies after that.” “HOPEFULLY, I’LL KEEP MOVING UP THE RANKS, UP TO THE 16S, 17S, 19S AND THEN HOPEFULLY ONTO THE FIRST TEAM. THAT’S PROBABLY MY BIGGEST DREAM EVER”

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CLASSIC NIGHT

CLASSIC NIGHT: DRAMATIC TWIST Scanlan produces last-gasp game-changer

hey think it’s all over…’. It wasn’t. The final day of the 2008 First Division season will go down as the starting point of where Dundalk’s fortunes began to change. Just two years earlier, they had been controversially denied promotion despite having won it on the pitch. This time, it appeared that they would miss out on a return to the top flight through their own fault, having suffered a 1-0 defeat by Limerick at Oriel Park with just a fortnight left in the title race. That had been a third loss of the campaign to Limerick in four meetings and left Shelbourne in pole position for the only place that would earn promotion as the Premier Division prepared to return to a tenteam format. The final-day matches saw Dundalk travel to bottom-side Kildare County, who had beaten Limerick at Jackman Park the previous week. Despite that, John Gill’s side were confident of victory. What they were not so sure about was what Limerick would turn up at Tolka Park where they faced a determined Shels, who knew victory would secure their return to the top table. In Kildare, it was plain sailing from early on as Robbie Farrell’s two goals put Dundalk in the driving seat. In between, a loud cheer suggested a Limerick breakthrough in Dublin. That proved to be false. Dundalk went on with their job, adding four more goals in the second half as Farrell notched another two while David Cassidy and Derek Doyle also

First Division Final Day Tolka Park & Station Road, Saturday 15 November 2008 Shelbourne 1-1 Limerick / Kildare County 1-6 Dundalk

scored. At the other end, Paul Shiels put through his own net to give Kildare a consolation. While all that was going on, Shelbourne had broken the deadlock at Tolka Park through Anto Flood’s goal on 64 minutes, which had come following a Mark Rutherford cross. At that stage, Dundalk were three goals to the good, meaning their next three in Kildare were met with little joy. Focus turned away from the pitch as Dundalk supporters listened to local radio which also moved their attention to the capital. As the final whistle sounded at Station Road, Dundalk’s 1,000-strong support quietly applauded their team off the pitch. Then, pandemonium! A monster roar and pitch invasion again suggested a Limerick goal. This time, it was true. Colin Scanlan – a total unknown to the Louth club – became an instant hero as his injury-time strike from 18-yards sent Tolka Park into silence as Dundalk wildly celebrated the title. Shelbourne: Delany, Murphy, Brennan, Keely, Keddy, O’Brien, McAllister, McGill, Rutherford (Chambers 79), Freeman, Flood. Limerick: Dave Ryan, White, Purcell, Barrett, Cleary, Walsh, Hughes, Colbert (Tier 81), Lyons (Manjor 57), David Ryan (Scanlan 85), Sheahan. Kildare County: O’Neill, Kavanagh, Donnelly (Mooney 63), Issaka, Powderly, Brady, Osbourne, Slattery (Murray HT), Farrell, Kilduff, Hughes (Bowers 63). Dundalk: Bennion, Flanagan, Kelly, Whelehan, Crawley, Cassidy, Shiels, Crowley (Marney 74), Doyle, Farrell (Smyth 71), Mulvenna (Vaughan 69).

LIMERICK FC vrs dundalk

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OPPOSITION INTERVIEW

CHAMPIONS CHECK-IN: BYRNE-ING AMBITION! Former Hibs man reflects on “special” night at Oriel undalk forward Kurtis Byrne says his side are “always motivated”, as they look to go where no other has gone in the club’s history by retaining the league title, though he says that feat is “at the back of our minds”.

A native of Dublin, Byrne spent time in Scotland at Hibernian – where he shared a house with former Limerick star Danny Galbraith – and Ross County, among others. He returned to Ireland when signing for Dundalk as a 22-year-old in January 2013, just over two months after they had finished bottom of the Premier Division. Now set to turn 25 next Thursday, it has been quite a journey for Byrne and everybody at Oriel Park, culminating in a “special night” which saw them win their tenth league by overcoming title challengers Cork City on the final day of the season last October. “Unbelievable,” is the word that Kurtis uses when speaking to Into The Blue about that evening where 6,000 jammed into the County Louth venue. “The situation where it was, we had

to win, there was no other way. I thought we deserved to win the league overall. I thought we played the best football. We always went attacking and teams always had to change their tactics when they came to Oriel Park. It was a special night and one that we deserved.” Unforgettable, indeed, but would he have preferred to win it two weeks earlier? He is unsure. “That’s a tough question,” Byrne ponders. “Probably the two weeks earlier for the nerves. But to win it that way was something special as well. So it’s a hard one – I don’t know how to answer that.” Byrne – son of former Celtic star and Dundalk player Paul – remembers his time in Scotland fondly, though he welcomed the “great opportunity” that came his way when offered a deal by Stephen Kenny. “We keep in touch; he’s gone to Gillingham now,” Kurtis says, pointing to his former housemate Galbraith who left Shannonside last June. “We kept in touch when he was at Limerick and I knew what he was doing and that. Danny is a good lad and a good player as well. I have some good memories from my time in Scotland, winning the Youth Cup and league with Hibs and then I made my league debut against Celtic, which was good. I look back with some good memories. I thought it was a great opportunity with

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OPPOSITION INTERVIEW Dundalk. I heard a lot about Stephen Kenny and how good a manager he was. I made up my mind pretty much there and then when I talked to him. I haven’t looked back – as you can see, we’ve done so well.” Few could have imagined just how well. Dundalk had propped up the 2012 Premier Division with just 20 points, three of those gained in a dead-rubber on the last day, amid serious financial woes. In the end, they would secure their top-flight status through the playoffs, beating Waterford United over two legs. “I don’t know, to be honest,” their No11 says, asked how he expected his first season there to go. “We got a good team together. We had a difficult start with Shamrock Rovers in the first game of the season. We drew 0-0 and after that game I was thinking we were going to do pretty well. We finished second with a group of lads that had just been put together, and we got knocked out of the semi-final of the Cup, which was controversial. But it was a good season in the end. It has been brilliant here. It’s a great group of lads, great management and great staff. Last season, the run in the League Cup, in Europe and winning the league – it was amazing.”

“THE SITUATION WHERE IT WAS, WE HAD TO WIN, THERE WAS NO OTHER WAY. IT WAS A SPECIAL NIGHT AND ONE THAT WE DESERVED”

“PEOPLE STILL DOUBT US. PUNDITS DIDN’T FANCY US TO WIN THE LEAGUE AND NOT EVEN FINISH IN THE TOP THREE, SOME OF THEM SAID. IT’S MADNESS, AFTER THE TWO YEARS THAT WE’VE HAD” Byrne – who counts Strength & Conditioning Coach Graham Byrne as a “very important” piece of the jigsaw – made certain of his place in Dundalk’s history books when scoring the winner in their UEFA Europa League second leg against Hajduk Split in Croatia last July. Now, he and his teammates are aiming for a first in the club’s illustrious life. “We’ve heard that,” Kurtis says, aware that Dundalk have never retained the title in nine previous attempts. “We’re always motivated, no matter what. We work for every game. We’ll just put that to the back of our minds and do the business on the pitch. At the end of the season, if we can keep the form up that we’re in now, I’m sure we’ll retain it. You go out to win every game. People still doubt us. Pundits didn’t fancy us to win the league and not even finish in the top three, some of them said. It’s madness, after the two years that we’ve had. We’re going out to win it again, certainly.”

dundalk focus

FOCUS ON DUNDALK H

istory: Dundalk competed for the first time in the League of Ireland in the 1926/27 season and six years later won their first title, becoming the first provincial club to do so. With an unbroken membership since then, Dundalk have an illustrious history which sees them sit among the most successful clubs on the island with ten league titles and nine FAI Cups. Following that first League Championship of 1932/33 they had to wait 30 years for their second success, but through the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s they would enjoy two titles in each decade. Last October, they ended a 19-year wait for a tenth one, which earned them a golden star to sit above their crest for the first time this season. They won their first FAI Cup in 1942 and added eight more after that, their last coming in 2002, making them the second-most successful club in that competition. They also enjoy that rank in the League Cup having won it five times, most recently last season. On the European stage, they have also enjoyed success and were just one goal away from knocking Celtic out of the 1979/80 European Cup at the last-16 stage. Last season, they won three of their four games in Europe but narrowly exited to Hajduk Split. Manager: Stephen Kenny Stephen Kenny (born: 30 October 1971) briefly played with Home Farm in the League of Ireland in 1994. In 1998, he became the youngest manager in National League history when taking over Longford Town, where he led them to promotion, a FAI Cup final and through that European qualification during his three-year tenure. In late 2001, he switched to Bohemians where he won the Premier Division in 2002/03. After leaving there during the 2004 season, he

moved to Derry City the same year. In 2006, they only missed out on the domestic treble on goal difference in the league. After a spell with Dunfermline in Scotland, he returned to Derry in 2008, then managing Shamrock Rovers in 2012 before arriving at Dundalk at the end of that year. Last season, he won the League and League Cup double there. He has won 68 of his 100 competitive matches in charge of Dundalk before tonight. Key Player: Ronan Finn Ronan Finn (born: 21 December 1987) is in his first season with Dundalk having joined from Shamrock Rovers. Finn – an attacking midfielder – had been at Cambridge United as a teenager before moving to UCD in 2005, making his League of Ireland debut towards the end of that season. He went on to win the First Division title with the Students in 2009 but then signed for Sporting Fingal for one season. Following their demise, the former Republic of Ireland Under-21 International joined Shamrock Rovers in 2011 and won the league title that year having also helped them into the UEFA Europa League group stages. Last December, he moved to reigning League Champions Dundalk and has made a bright start to his time at Oriel Park.

Founded: 1926 | Home Stadium: Oriel Park Honours: League of Ireland Champions: 10 (1932/33, 1962/63, 1966/67, 1975/76, 1978/79, 1981/82, 1987/88, 1990/91, 1994/95, 2014); FAI Cups: 9 (1942, 1949, 1952, 1958, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1988, 2002); League Cups: 5 (1977/78, 1980/81, 1986/87, 1989/90, 2014)

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PLAYER Q&A: FUN FIFTEEN TONY WHITEHEAD

q&a fUN fIFTEEN

hort Bio: Tony Whitehead (born: 22 December 1995) is a promising young central defender who is in his fourth year at the club. Whitehead was with his local club Charleville AFC from Under-8 level all the way through until he made the move to Limerick as a 16-yearold in January 2012, midway through their inaugural Under-19 season. Tony made his senior debut from the bench against Manchester City in the glamour friendly at Thomond Park in August 2012. His competitive bow came in the league at Bray Wanderers in October 2013. Last year, he captained Limerick in the Munster Senior Cup final, which they lost to Douglas Hall after a late goal.

1) If you could have a room full of one anything what would it be (keep it clean)? Nando’s Chicken I think.

probably Lanzarote. 6) Your first footballing memory? Apart from watching my uncles play every Sunday, it would be Riise’s free-kick (for Liverpool) against United in 2001. 7) Your dream car? Audi A5. 8) Do you have any pre-match superstitions or rituals? Not really. I just try and have a laugh with the boys to keep the nerves away. 9) If you were invisible for a day what one thing would you do (apart from rob a bank!)? Rob myself a wardrobe full of new clothes and runners. 10) If you were a superhero what would your name be? I don’t think I’d make a great superhero. 11) Ronaldo or Messi? Messi.

2) When you were a kid what did you want to be when you grew up (apart from a footballer!) Never actually wanted to do anything else.

12) What was the last film you watched? Demolition Man.

3) What is in your fridge right now? Chicken, steak, eggs and sweet potato. All I eat.

14) If you were stranded on a desert island what three things would you want with you (apart from a boat!)? Food, water and a football I suppose.

4) If you won the lotto what's the first thing you would buy? Definitely a car. 5) What is your favourite holiday destination? Haven’t been to too many places –

13) Your favourite ice-cream flavour? Strawberry.

15) Tell us the worst joke you know? “He’s some ape”…“Who?”…“King Kong”. Of course it would have to be one of Red’s jokes!!

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the big interview: VINNY FAHERTY

THE BIG INTERVIEW: WITH VINNY FAHERTY

“THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO. I COULDN’T KNOCK ON STEPHEN KENNY’S DOOR AND ASK WHY I WASN’T PLAYING, BECAUSE PAT HOBAN WAS PLAYING SO WELL – IT WAS A NO-BRAINER”

ometimes, these things happen”. Vinny Faherty has reason to reflect on his one-season spell at tonight’s opponents Dundalk with frustration and perhaps annoyance. Instead, he holds his hand up in admission that there was “nothing” he could do to take the spotlight off his fellow Galway man Patrick Hoban. Dundalk would eventually finish that 2013 campaign as runners-up. Their future path would be the Champions route which they completed in stunning style last October. For Faherty, he too would enjoy success, helping Galway to promotion having dropped to the First Division. For the 27-year-old, it was “a step back to move forward again”. In a small world, Faherty is a native of Moycullen, home to Dundalk captain Stephen O’Donnell. It was only at Under-16 level that he would kick off his football career, with Salthill Dev-

on, having also played Gaelic with his village and Galway. Eventually, a choice had to be made, and having had a “gun put to his head”, soccer was the chosen one. Initially a full-back, he made a quick transition to a striker’s role when scoring four times on his first outing up top. Vinny takes up the story of his career. “I played with my mates when I was younger but it was Gaelic all the way up,” he tells Into The Blue. “I played Gaelic with Galway up until Minor. Then I had to make a choice between soccer and Gaelic and I picked soccer. It wasn’t really a tough choice in the end – they put a bit of a gun to my head. They both trained three nights a week so I was able to do two with both the way it worked out. But the Gaelic wanted me every night while the soccer were willing to compromise. I preferred to play soccer anyway, being completely honest, but I would have continued on playing both had circumstances allowed. “I only started playing really with a club properly at 16. It was between Salthill and Mervue but Salthill were going to America that summer and that was kind of more of an incentive for me so

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Position: Striker Signed: Tuesday 3 March 2015 Date / Place of Birth: 13 June 1987 (27) / Galway Ex-Clubs: Salthill Devon, Galway United, Saint Patrick's Athletic, Moreland Zebras, Dundalk Club Debut: vs. Bohemi ans (H), 7 March 2015 First Club Goal: None Twitter: @vinnyfaherty

the majority of our Under-18 team so it was a big enough achievement. That propelled a few of us into the spotlight – I ended up going over to Ipswich from there and ultimately I signed for Galway because of it, I suppose.”

I signed there. That was my first involvement with them, the trip to America. I actually played full-back but they put me up front then for whatever reason in the first game of the season back home – I can’t even remember the circumstances. I had played full-back in the summer in America with them and then they put me up front. We drew 4-4 and I scored the four goals so I never changed since then. It went well at Salthill. We won leagues, got to FAI All-Ireland semi-finals and won the Under-21 Dr. Tony O’Neill League. There were a lot of League of Ireland clubs in it but we were the first non-League of Ireland club to win it. It was

Faherty had been on trial at Ipswich Town at the same time as Jordan Rhodes was making his way through the ranks. But eventually he would settle down at Galway United, where he arrived in July 2007 – midway through their first season back up which had come controversially at the expense of Dundalk. At Terryland Park, as it was then known, he played under Tony Cousins, Jeff Kenna and Ian Foster. ‘Fozzy’ went on to manage Dundalk in

the big interview: VINNY FAHERTY

2010. “It went well enough,” Faherty says, reflecting on his two-and-a-half seasons there. “Back then, there was a lot more money in the league so I think our objective was always just to stay up and stay in the league.We managed to do it every time. I don’t know if that is counted as a success but we got what we needed out of the league. I liked Fozzy. He showed an awful lot of faith in me. I think I started every single game when I was available for him. He ended up trying to sign me for Dundalk afterwards but I went to St. Pat’s. But I really liked him. When a manager has faith in you and plays you every week, your confidence is high. Even if you have a bad game, you’re not feeling under too much pressure. Obviously, you’re under pressure from yourself. But you know that you’re going to be playing and you know that he had faith in you. That was a big thing for me. I owe Fozzy a lot. I definitely have no regrets with Galway. It went well. If you look at some of the players that played when I was there first – Séamus Conneely, Alan Keane, John Russell, Iarfhlaith Davoren – they’ve all won leagues. Jay O’Shea is over in England. We had a good group. It’s just a pity, I suppose, the club went the way it went. I’m sure if they had kept a hold of all their Galway lads, they would probably actually be challenging for leagues now.” Faherty moved to Saint Patrick’s Athletic for 2010 but it was at the end of that season that an opportunity came up with a second-tier club in Turkey. “I loved it at St. Pat’s,” he says. “I really enjoyed my time there. It was brilliant. I couldn’t speak highly enough of the

club. I suppose my regret is leaving. I left there to go to Turkey and that didn’t work out in the end so I was left in limbo. We had a guy on trial at St. Pat’s from Romania. His agent had been over and he kept in touch. He told me there was a club in Turkey interested. The contract was sent over to me and it was a very good contract. At the time, I was probably a bit naïve. I wanted to get out of Ireland and play football abroad if it was possible. The style of football in Turkey excited me. Everything made sense. I got over there and passed a medical. What I didn’t know is that they had sacked their manager but hadn’t paid him up properly. It was just a language barrier – I didn’t know what was happening. They went to court with the Football Federation of Turkey. There was a transfer embargo put on them, the day after I arrived, unless they paid their manager what he was owed, so it ended up falling apart.” Then came an offer at Barnet, followed by a move to Melbourne-based club Moreland Zebras. “I came back from Turkey and went to Barnet,” Vinny explains. “They offered me a deal but, to be honest, to live in London with the contract didn’t make sense. It wasn’t a great contract and my head probably wasn’t in the right place. I just wanted to get out. I was a bit disillusioned after Turkey fell through. I had a friend down in Australia, he put me in touch with Moreland and it went from there. They ended up giving me quite a good deal, offering to pay for flights and gave me an apartment and a car. It was a good move in that respect, but footballing wise it probably wasn’t. Their off-season is six months long. Fitness wise, it really set me back going to Australia. I spent a year-and-ahalf there. Just at the start of that window when I left, Tommy Dunne called me at Cork and was wondering if I was interested in coming back. I wasn’t, but by the time the end of the month had come around after a few bad results over there, I was just probably ready to come home. Liam Buckley rang me at Pat’s and it was a no-brainer – I loved my time there the first time so I went back. It was quite good. I played in Europe and got to an FAI Cup final. I had a great time again there second time around.”

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After that half-season back at Richmond Park in 2012, it was off to Oriel Park in 2013. Dundalk had just avoided the relegation trapdoor by winning a playoff against Waterford United, having finished bottom of the Premier Division. Faherty, though, was convinced to sign by new boss Stephen Kenny. Not aware of Hoban at the time, he soon would be. “To be honest, I probably wouldn’t have signed only for Stephen,” he says. “I wouldn’t have probably thought about it. By the time I signed, they had quite a few good players on board. Having a lad like Stephen O’Donnell and Stephen Kenny I knew they’d be okay. Now, I don’t think anybody knew how good we would actually do. But I knew we wouldn’t be struggling anyway. I hadn’t heard of Pat Hoban before so I went in and expected to play every week, obviously performance-depending. I expected myself and Kurtis Byrne to be playing up front every week but it wasn’t the way it worked out. I spoke to Stephen quite a few times and he was assuring me that once I got my fitness up I’d be playing. He signed me as his No9. It was a matter of fitness. I wasn’t fit enough and the way it happened, when I started to get fit, Pat had hit the ground running. I couldn’t argue with it. There was nothing I could do. I couldn’t knock on Stephen Kenny’s door and ask why I wasn’t playing, because Pat was playing so well – it was a no-brainer. There was no point being unreasonable about it. I probably wasn’t fit enough at the start of the year and then when Pat got on a run he was just playing phenomenal. We had a good year. We

“AT THE TIME, I WAS PROBABLY A BIT NAÏVE. I WANTED TO GET OUT OF IRELAND AND PLAY FOOTBALL ABROAD IF IT WAS POSSIBLE. THE STYLE OF FOOTBALL IN TURKEY EXCITED ME. EVERYTHING MADE SENSE”

probably should have got to the FAI Cup final, and finished as runners-up in the league.They’ve kicked on again and Pat (now at Oxford United) has kicked on himself. I don’t have any complaints, really – sometimes, these things happen. I can’t really argue with the way it went. Again, I enjoyed my time there. I loved working with Stephen Kenny. He was brilliant. We had a great group of lads, a really good dressing-room, and it goes without saying – look at what they’ve done since.” Faherty went on to rejoin Galway, which allowed him to return to college to study Commerce, with his hope to enter Sports Marketing. Currently, he is combining that with playing with Limerick, where he says he has enjoyed working under Martin Russell this season. “It has been good,” he says. “Obviously, I’d like to get all my little niggles out of the way and start playing week in, week out. Martin has been brilliant. He has been really positive. He reminds me a bit of Stephen Kenny and Liam Buckley with his attitude. He’s very enthusiastic. When things aren’t going well, he’ll highlight the negative but he doesn’t dwell on it as a big thing. If someone isn’t playing well, I think they accept themselves that they’re not having a great game – they don’t need somebody coming down hard on them, particularly during the game or at half-time. He might have a few little words but he generally tries to inspire or motivate lads, which is a good thing. I like the way he works. Training has been good and it’s a good group of lads.”

MATCHDAY SQUADS

SQUADS MANAGER: MARTIN RUSSELL

O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O

Conor O’Donnell (GK) Seán Harding Robbie Williams Aidan Price Paul O’Conor Ian Turner Shane Duggan (C) Dean Clarke Vinny Faherty Darragh Rainsford Seán Russell Tony Whitehead Shane Costelloe Val Feeney Ross Mann Gavin Dillon Kieran Hanlon Colm Murphy Paudie O’Connor Seán McSweeney Conor Maguire Killian Brouder Jason Hughes Tommy Holland (GK)

1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 14 15 17 18 19 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 29 30

MANAGER: STEPHEN KENNY

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 25 26

Gary Rogers (GK) Seán Gannon Brian Gartland Andy Boyle Chris Shields Stephen O’Donnell (C) Daryl Horgan John Mountney David McMillan Ronan Finn Kurtis Byrne Shane Grimes Dane Massey Paddy Barrett Richie Towell Anton Reilly Jake Kelly Ciarán O’Connor Darren Meenan Gabriel Sava (GK) Georgie Poynton Paul Finnegan Michael O’Connor

O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O

SSE Airtricity League Premier Division Saturday 11 April: Bray Wanderers, Carlisle Grounds, 5.45pm SSE Airtricity League Premier Division Friday 17 April: Galway United, Eamonn Deacy Park, 7.45pm SSE Airtricity League Premier Division Monday 20 April: Derry City, Jackman Park, 7.45pm SSE Airtricity League Premier Division Saturday 25 April: Shamrock Rovers, Jackman Park, 6.30pm SSE Airtricity League Premier Division Saturday 2 May: Sligo Rovers, Showgrounds, 7.45pm

OFFICIALS: Referee: David McKeon, Assistant 1: Allen Lynch, Assistant 2: Emmet Dynan Fourth Official: Michael O'Connor

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Without the fans, who are they playing for? #FanPoweredFootball

LIMERICK FC PLAYER PROFILES

Conor O’Donnell (Gk)

Seán Harding

Robbie Williams

Aidan Price

Paul O’Conor

Shane Duggan (C)

Dean Clarke

Darragh Rainsford

Ian Turner

Vinny Faherty

15 Seán Russell

Tony Whitehead

Shane Costelloe

Val Feeney

22 Gavin Dillon

Ross Mann

23 Kieran Hanlon

Paudie O’Connor

Seán McSweeney

29 Killian Brouder

Colm Murphy

Conor Maguire

30 Jason Hughes

Tommy Holland (GK)

P L AY E R S P O N S O R S SHANE DUGGAN:

SEÁN MCSWEENEY:

PAUDIE O’CONNOR:

JASON HUGHES

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30-question quiz

30 QUESTION

QUIZ

Domestic 1) Who scored Dundalk’s first league goal this season? 2) In what year did Cork City first win the FAI Cup? 3) Name Wexford Youths’ home ground? 4) Who did Pat Fenlon succeed as Bohemians manager in 2008? 5) What club did Dundalk eliminate from last season’s UEFA Europa League? 6) Who scored Limerick’s winning goal in the 1982 FAI Cup final against Bohemians? 7) What was the final score of the 1977 FAI Cup final between Dundalk and Limerick? 8) For bonus points, who scored the goals that day? 9) Last weekend, who scored Saint Patrick’s Athletic’s two goals against Limerick? 10) Limerick midfielder Paul O’Conor was born in what country? (You should have been paying attention last week!) European 1) Who was the top scorer in the 1991/92 UEFA Cup? 2) How many European Cups have Inter Milan won? 3) Their most recent success was in 2010 – where was that final held? 4) Who is the current manager of French club Bordeaux? 5) Limerick’s first European match came against what club in 1960? 6) What club won the 1984/85 European Cup? 7) In what year did Henrik Larsson join Celtic? 8) In the 2003/04 UEFA Champions League, who did Monaco eliminate in the semi-finals? 9) Limerick faced Athletic Bilbao and what other Spanish club during pre-season last year? 10) Who scored in both of those games for Limerick? International 1) Last weekend, what country did Harry Kane score against for England? 2) Who scored Poland’s goal against the Republic of Ireland last Sunday? 3) Carlos Aguilera played International football for what country? 4) What club won the 2014 Copa Libertadores? 5) Belgium defeated Israel 1-0 last Tuesday night; who scored their goal? 6) Who scored Northern Ireland’s two goals against Finland last weekend? 7) Brazil manager Dunga started and finished his senior playing career at what club? 8) Where was the 1954 FIFA World Cup held? 9) For bonus points, what countries contested that final? 10) Who is the manager of the Croatian national team? Domestic: 1) Daryl Horgan. 2) 1998. 3) Ferrycarrig Park. 4) Seán Connor. 5) Jeunesse Esch (Luxembourg). 6) Brendan Storan. 7) Dundalk 2-0 Limerick. 8) Terry Flanagan. 9) Aaron Greene. 10) Sweden. European: 1) Dean Saunders. 2) Three. 3) Santiago Bernabéu (Madrid). 4) Willy Sagnol. 5) Young Boys. 6) Juventus. 7) 1997. 8) Chelsea. 9) Amorebieta. 10) Darragh Rainsford. International: 1) Lithuania. 2) Sławomir Peszko. 3) Uruguay. 4) San Lorenzo. 5) Marouane Fellaini. 6) Kyle Lafferty. 7) Internacional. 8) Switzerland. 9) West Germany & Hungary. 10) Niko Kovač.

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UNDER-19 u19s title REACTION tilt

UNDER-19 CHAMPIONS: DON’T STOP US NOW – MCCARTAN Youngster having such a good time at Limerick imerick star Liam McCartan is fully focussed on winning the Under-19 League outright after they lifted the Southern Elite Division title in Cobh last Tuesday night. McCartan sprung from the bench in the second half to fire his side to a priceless 1-0 victory that saw them pip long-time leaders Waterford United at the post.

Teammate James Duggan was also in the vicinity and claims the golden touch. But former Regional United youngster McCartan – who can play in defence or midfield – is in no doubt who got their foot to the ball from close in. “I’m definitely claiming it; I got my left foot around it and I definitely touched the ball and it went into the back of the net,” Liam told Into The Blue. “I was running away anyway in celebration because it was my goal, definitely. Duggy can’t claim that at all! I was very happy with the performance. It was a good team performance. We dug in right to the end and I don’t even think Tommy (Holland) had much of a save to make. Everyone was good, from the defence up to the front. We pressed well and it was a great performance in the end to get the three points and win the league. “Tommy (Barrett) told me that I wasn’t going to start but I knew I had a job to do if I was to come on and I

was very happy to get a goal. I’m normally a right-back but to get on the field at all, I was delighted, and to get the goal, even better. This is a big achievement but I don’t think we can stop here. There is still another cup up for grabs. I think we should push on now and win it outright. It has been a good run of form since Christmas. We always knew we had it in us, to be honest. We have great coaching behind us; Conor (Nestor), the video analysis is very good, Tommy especially who is great one-on-one. I think we had it in us and we’re not just going to stop now. We can push on now and win it outright. We need to push on now as players and as a team. We can win this and I have 100 percent belief that we will win it. “It’s a great club. Every Tuesday and Thursday, I have a real smile on my face coming into training. It’s good to be around players that are as motivated as me. Winning now proves how well we’ve worked and what we can achieve in the future. There is no lack of banter at all in the squad. As long as we keep winning games, that is our main focus and the spirit will always be there, throughout my time here anyway and throughout everyone else’s time in the club.”

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SWEET 16: BRANDON MURPHY

SW E E T 1 6 :

FAVO U R I T E S

Inside the life of our Under-16 squad

BRANDON MURPHY In this feature, we go inside the lives of our Under-16 squad to discover some of their favourite things. Next up is attacking midfielder Brandon Murphy, who is in his second season at Limerick FC having previously played with Creeves Celtic and Shannonside. Brandon has been in good scoring form for the Under-16s this term, hitting double figures. 1. Favourite Meal? Chicken Curry 2. Favourite Drink? Lucozade

3. Favourite Band? Coldplay 4. Favourite Song? Big City Life 5. Favourite Ice-Cream? Ben & Jerry’s 6. Favourite Bar? Nature Valley Bar 7. Favourite Movie? American Pie 8. Favourite Actor / Actress? Adam Sandler 9. Favourite Footballer? Neymar 10. Favourite Sports Person (non-football)? Brian O’Driscoll 11. Favourite Holiday Destination? Spain 12. Favourite Car? Audi R8 13. Favourite Sport (apart from football)? Rugby 14. Favourite School Subject? Geography 15. Favourite Cartoon Character? Eric Cartman 16. Favourite Football Boot? Nike Superflys

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Last Time Out: First Team

LEAGUE: GREENE GIVES LIMERICK THE BLUES Saints strike in each half at Jackman aron Greene scored in each half as Saint Patrick’s Athletic edged to a 2-1 win over Limerick in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division at Jackman Park last Saturday evening. Limerick were on the front foot straight away as Seán Russell saw his effort in the opening seconds drift wide. On five minutes, St. Pat’s had their first chance when Chris Forrester’s cross from the right of the box was met by Greene at the back post but he struck the woodwork from close in. Then Ciarán Kilduff’s drive was held by Conor O’Donnell before Conan Byrne’s shot took a deflection off the former Shamrock Rovers forward on the way but again the ‘keeper collected. On ten minutes, Killian Brennan’s free-kick from a central position close to 30-yards out went over.

On 21 minutes, Russell fired wide from distance, before Limerick created their best opening shortly after. Dean Clarke did well down the left and got past his man, putting in a low cross for Ian Turner but when well placed he got his effort all wrong. Before the half-hour, the home side created another good opportunity when Darragh Rainsford’s driven cross was met by Clarke but it came at him quickly and his header flew wide. St. Pat’s then broke the deadlock. Brennan floated a corner into the box where Forrester got there ahead of O’Donnell, and though the ‘keeper blocked twice, eventually Greene fired home following the scramble. On 35 minutes, Forrester’s powerful low drive from outside the area was saved by O’Donnell, as the Dubliners went in leading by the minimum. Just into the second half, Limerick should have been awarded a penalty when

Ian Bermingham brought down Clarke in the box but the referee waved play on. Then Seán Harding did well to win a challenge in the opposing half but his strike drifted wide. On 54 minutes, Byrne’s corner was met by Greene whose header seemed destined for the top corner but Harding cleared off the line. At the other end, Clarke turned Kenny Browne easily and struck a 20-yard effort that Conor O’Malley took two attempts to gather. Past the hour, Shane Costelloe entered for his first home league appearance since August 2013. Then Limerick had another penalty appeal turned down after an apparent handball in the box. On 72 minutes, St. Pat’s doubled their lead through Greene’s lobbed finish over O’Donnell. But Limerick were back in it soon after as Turner’s free-kick from just outside the box found the bottom corner. Then Russell’s free-kick was headed over by Paudie O’Connor but that was Limerick’s last real chance as St. Pat’s saw the game out to record their first away win of the season. Limerick: Conor O’Donnell, Seán Harding (Shane Costelloe 63), Paudie O’Connor, Aidan Price, Robbie Williams, Paul O’Conor (Ross Mann 82), Ian Turner, Shane Duggan ©, Seán Russell, Darragh Rainsford (Jason Hughes 70), Dean Clarke. Unused Subs: Tommy Holland (GK), Vinny Faherty, Tony Whitehead, Kieran Hanlon. Saint Patrick’s Athletic: Conor O’Malley, James Chambers, Seán Hoare, Kenny Browne, Ian Bermingham, Greg Bolger, Killian Brennan (Conor McCormack 86), Conan Byrne, Chris Forrester, Aaron Greene, Ciarán Kilduff. Unused Subs: Pat Jennings (GK), Morgan Langley, Lee Desmond, Sam Verdon, Cyril Guedje, Jack Bayly. Referee: Seán Grant (Wexford). Attendance: 425 (Official).

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UNDER-19 REPORT

U19S: MCCARTAN CLAIMS GOAL THAT SEALS TITLE Substitute bags all-important winner in Cobh iam McCartan came off the bench to claim the goal that secured the Under-19 Southern Elite Division title for Limerick as they ended Cobh Ramblers’ unbeaten run with a 1-0 win at a windswept Saint Colman’s Park last Tuesday evening.

woodwork by Daly. Limerick went close again on 21 minutes when Feeney played in Mann on the left of the box but he was well denied by Daly who blocked behind. Then Shane Daly-Butz’s cross from the right found Drinan who controlled well in the box but his shot on the turn went wildly off target.

Both teams had been undefeated since returning from the Christmas break, but it was Limerick that went closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half. Early on, Clyde O’Connell’s thunderous free-kick from 30-yards was heading for the top corner only for Eoghan Daly to get across and produce a stunning save to push it clear. Then the ‘keeper denied Ross Mann. Cobh’s Aaron Drinan should have done better with a finish after controlling a cross in the box, and just after the break, George Gill’s effort was saved. But the crucial breakthrough arrived midway through the second half as O’Connell’s deflected shot caused problems for the home ‘keeper with James Duggan and McCartan both attacking the rebound, with the latter claiming it, just five minutes after entering as a substitute. Ramblers almost drew level straight away but Tommy Holland did superbly well to push Gill’s header from a free-kick away, and though they pressed hard in the final minutes, Limerick held firm to seal the league trophy.

Just into the second half, Gill saw a low strike from the edge of the box well saved by Holland. Limerick broke the deadlock on 68 minutes, after a period of pressure which ended with O’Connell’s shot taking a wild deflection. That wrong-footed the ‘keeper and although he recovered brilliantly he could only palm it out to the in-rushing Duggan and McCartan who finished to the net. Cobh, though, looked to respond immediately and from a free-kick Gill’s header was on its way to the top corner but Holland got across brilliantly to push it away. Ten minutes from time, Mann was denied a second by the ‘keeper. But despite lengthy injury-time, that mattered little as Limerick held firm to make it six wins on the spin as they lifted the title in style.

Limerick had started brightly and forced two early corners, the first ending with Killian Hayes’ shot being deflected over and then Val Feeney’s second delivery was headed over by Killian Brouder. At the other end, a well-delivered free-kick was met by David O’Connor at the back post but he headed into the side-netting. On 11 minutes came O’Connell’s free-kick that was brilliantly pushed onto the

Cobh Ramblers: Eoghan Daly, Ben O’Riordan, Adam O’Sullivan, David O’Connor, David King (Alex O’Brien 80), Shane Daly-Butz, George Gill, Christopher McCarthy ©, Daniel Barry, Stephen Christopher, Aaron Drinan. Unused Subs: Charlie Fleming, Jacob Buris, Ruairí Cotter, Patrick Cronin. Limerick: Tommy Holland, Stephen Nolan, Conor Maguire ©, Mark Hoban, Killian Brouder, Killian Hayes (James Duggan HT), Ross Fitzgerald, Val Feeney (Shane Lowth 90+3), Clyde O’Connell (Jack Lynch 74), Ross Mann, Oisín Kelly (Liam McCartan 63). Unused Subs: Arkadiusz Mamala (GK), Eoin Whelan.

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UNDER-19 REACTION

UNDER-19 CHAMPIONS: “THE PLAYERS DESERVE IT” – BARRETT Boss praises title-winning team after “great achievement” imerick Under-19 manager Tommy Barrett says his players “deserve” their success in winning the Southern Elite Division earlier this week, but still he pointed to his own aim of developing players for the first team.

The young Shannonsiders sealed the league title with a gutsy 1-0 victory over Cobh Ramblers at a windswept Saint Colman’s Park on Tuesday night. They did so without the services of Paudie O’Connor, due to first-team involvement, and joint-top scorer Seán McSweeney who was suspended. Joining them on the missing list were the absent Cusack twins and injured Alan Murphy. Barrett was understandably thrilled afterwards, but he expects it will be “more difficult” for his players next season having been the surprise package this time around. “I’m delighted for the lads and delighted for Pat O’Sullivan,” Barrett told Into The Blue. “You could see how happy he was after the game. The players deserve it – they have been very good all year. We have a squad of 22 and everybody has got loads of game-time and everybody has done brilliantly, so it’s happy days for the boys. It’s a great achievement for us in our first year up; particularly I think when you look at the pedigree of the teams in the Southern Division. We have so many top Elite teams in the Southern section. But sometimes that can happen. Sometimes, we might have surprised teams. Next year will be more difficult I think. Teams will be out to beat us and they might not take us as much for granted,

so we’ll drive on. This is still a very young team; we have 18 lads underage next season so hopefully we can progress. “I’ll keep saying it – I know people think I’m banging the drum at this stage about it – but for me it’s about development. I didn’t have Paudie O’Connor in Cobh because he’s up with the first team. That’s what it’s about for me. There is no point in winning Under-19 Leagues if you’re not going to get players through. Whilst it’s great – it’s fantastic – my job is to get the players playing the right way and get them playing a brand of football that they can play in the first team. Teach them the game, really, and sometimes that is about winning as well, especially down in places like Cobh which is a difficult place to go. It was played in dirty conditions but we still came away with the win. We also played football, to what we could play. We played better football than Cobh, I thought, and we deserved the win.” Limerick now prepare to face Shelbourne – who finished fourth in the Northern Elite Division – in a home quarter-final next weekend; match details will appear on LimerickFC.ie.

“I’LL KEEP SAYING IT – I KNOW PEOPLE THINK I’M BANGING THE DRUM AT THIS STAGE ABOUT IT – BUT FOR ME IT’S ABOUT DEVELOPMENT”

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in photos: IRISH SCHOOLS limerick Report VRS LONGFORD TOWN

IRISH SCHOOLS: MCSWEENEY FEATURES IN WELSH WIN Irish make it two from two in Wexford

imerick FC forward Seán McSweeney entered as a late substitute as the Republic of Ireland Schools maintained their winning start to the Centenary Shield, seeing off point-less Wales 2-1 at Ferrycarrig Park last Thursday week.

Ireland had opened their campaign with a 3-2 victory over Northern Ireland in Ballinamallard on Saint Patrick’s Day. They broke the deadlock there through Aaron Robinson past the quarter-hour and doubled their lead through Connor Ellis’ penalty before the break. The North reduced the deficit early in the second half with Mark Skye finding the net, but Ellis restored the two-goal advantage with another spot-kick with 12 minutes remaining. The North scored what proved to be a consolation with a penalty of their own from Adam Sally deep in injury-time. McSweeney was an unused substitute for that fixture. Confident going in on the back of that result the Irish enjoyed the perfect start against Wales in Wexford with two goals inside the opening six minutes. In a fine opening spell they took the lead in the fifth minute when Conor McCarthy rose to head home an excellent Dylan Watts corner. A minute later, it was a perfect through-ball from Ethan Boyle that sent Conor Melody clear and he easily beat ‘keeper Jack Cowley with a low shot to the left-hand corner of the net. Wales, coming in on the back of two defeats, gradually worked their way into the game. Following a good spell of pressure, it was a Brython Payne header from an Ifan Jones corner on 24 minutes that brought them back to within a goal. With both sides playing quality attacking

football, the respective goalmouths had some narrow escapes. Wales almost drew level when a Payne header from a Jones corner rebounded back into play off the crossbar four minutes before the break. The Welsh made a lively start to the second half with Jacob Duckett forcing a fine save out of ‘keeper Corey Chambers. At the opposite end, Darragh Markey saw his 50th-minute effort from the edge of the area rebound off the upright, with Adam Pritchard clearing to safety. Despite periods of pressure neither side could add to their first-half goals, both Melody and Mark Buckley hitting the woodwork late on, with McSweeney coming off the bench for the closing minutes. Paddy O’Reilly’s side’s next home game comes against England on Friday 17 April in the Sligo Showgrounds. Six days later, the Irish travel to Glasgow to take on the Tartan Army for the final game of their Shield campaign. Republic of Ireland: Corey Chambers, Dan Tobin, Conor McCarthy, Paul Murphy, Cian Coleman, Ethan Boyle (Troy Carey HT), Connor Ellis, Darragh Markey (Seán McSweeney 85), Dylan Watts (Mark Buckley HT), Nathan Benson, Conor Melody. Unused Subs: Lee McCarron, Jason McClelland, Aaron Robinson, Daire O’Connor. Wales: Jack Cowley, Ashley Tandy, Jolyon Harries, Adam Pritchard, Brython Payne, Alex Jones, Bradley Flay (Callum Porter HT), Ifan Jones, Daniel Raymond (Chris Whittaker 18, Jamie Roberts 89), Nathan Jenkins, Jake Duckett (Lloyd Davies 89). Unused Subs: Shaun Cavanagh, Patrick Hinchcliffe, Daniel Evans. Referee: Nicholas Boland (Wexford).

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JOIN THE CLUB The Official Supporters Club

The OSC would like to congratulate Limerick FC Under-19s on becoming Southern Elite Division Champions! Congratulations to Pat McMorrow, winner of our Members' Free Draw for the month of March. Pat won tickets to the Republic of Ireland v Poland game last Sunday. Be sure to fill out your Membership Form to be in with a chance to win this month's draw! WRITE A LIMERICK FOR LIMERICK! April's Junior Blues competition is: Compose a Limerick or short verse about the team or your favourite player to be in with a chance to win a football signed by the team. Entry is open to all Junior Members of the Supporters' Club and can be sent to us at the below number or e-mail address by Sunday 19 April. The winning entry will also be printed in the following Matchday Magazine. Membership: Adults €10, OAPs/Students/U16s €5, Family €20 Find us on Facebook: Limerick FC Official Supporters Club | VisitL: www.limerickfc.ie/supportersclub Email: supportersclub@limerickfc.ie | Phone: 087 1862678