LI
MERICK
OFFICIAL YEARBOOK 2014
SSE Airtricity Premier League. Thomond Park, Friday April 25th, 2014 Issue 4
1937
VERSUS SLIGO ROVERS
€4
greenhegroupt
-1 -
SPONSORS MATCH SPONSOR
MAN OF THE MATCH
MATCH BALL
OFFICIALS
REFEREE SEAN GRANT ASSISTANT DERMOT BROUGHTON ASSISTANT DAVID KEELER 4TH OFFICIAL GRAHAM KELLY
-2-
CHAIRMAN’S NOTES Good evening to you all. I would like to offer you a warm welcome to Thomond Park for tonight’s SSE Airtricity League Premier Division match against Sligo Rovers. I’d particularly like to welcome Ian Baraclough, his players and staff and the supporters of Sligo Rovers who have made the lengthy journey here tonight. We have started to find some form and are now four games unbeaten in the league following a good away point in Derry on Easter Monday. I think it speaks volumes that we were so disappointed to leave Derry with a single point. We are anxious to start moving up the table, so I hope we can build on the momentum this evening. It won’t be easy. Sligo have rediscovered their goalscoring touch in recent games so our excellent defensive record will be important. Last weekend, our Under-17 Development squad travelled to Derry with the senior team to play a game against their Derry City counterparts. While the result did not go their way, that’s not important – the point of the trip was to prepare our promising young players for national competition, should that come at Under-17, Under-19 or senior level. They will have learned a lot about preparation from the senior squad and it will stand
them in good stead. I’d like to thank them for their professionalism on the trip and for the time they spent away from their families over the Bank Holiday weekend. Our next home games come quick and fast together, with Dundalk, Cork City and Saint
“I THINK IT SPEAKS VOLUMES THAT WE WERE SO DISAPPOINTED TO LEAVE DERRY WITH A SINGLE POINT. WE ARE ANXIOUS TO START MOVING UP THE TABLE” Patrick’s Athletic scheduled for Thomond Park over a seven-day day period from 16-23 May. We recognise that this is difficult financially for our supporters, so we are putting special packages in place to enable fans to experience all three games at a heavily discounted price. We value your support, on and off the field, so keep us going again tonight and hopefully we can continue the recent positive run and continue to climb the table. Thanks to you all. Enjoy the match, Pat O’Sulivan.
-3 -
MANAGER’S NOTES Good evening and welcome back to Thomond Park for tonight’s SSE Airtricity League Premier Division match against Sligo Rovers. I would like to extend a warm welcome to Ian Baraclough, his players, backroom team, the officials and supporters of Sligo Rovers FC who have made the long trip south for this evening’s match. Like Sligo, we have been in good form recently and are unbeaten in our last four league games, and hopefully we can continue our run tonight. Firstly looking back on last Friday’s win over Athlone Town which was our first of the season here at home, I was over the moon with the performance. I thought that we started the game really brightly, which is the first time we have really done that this season, where we were on our game, we pressed forward, we attacked in numbers and we created chances. We looked dangerous right from the first whistle. We got our goal, deservedly so, and then about 10-15 minutes after that we took our foot off the pedal a little bit and just stood off them. That caused them to go and get their one
chance, which they scored from. That was disappointing, but the good thing that we’ve done this season is that we’ve reacted well. We came out in the second half and we continued in the way we did at the start of the game. We pressed forward and we got our chances. I thought Tam McManus scored an unbelievable goal. He showed a lot of intelligence in the way he rolled the defender and great composure by just slotting it in the back of the net. It was a real top-class goal. But that’s the type of person and player he is and that’s the reason we brought him to the club. There will be plenty of goals for him to score throughout the season – there’s no doubt about that. I think it was up there as one of the best finishes this season. The way he constructed it himself by showing his awareness in what side he could turn out, he knew the weight of pass that was already on the ball and he knew he could turn in the box which is in a tight area. Then he showed top-quality composure by just slotting it past the goalkeeper and bending it around on what would be his so-called weaker foot. We had other chances as well. Robbie Williams hit the
-4-
post and then obviously the penalty – it’s not like Shane Tracy to go and miss one but he’s due one I suppose. He has scored every single other one and I’m quite sure he’ll score every other one going forward. It was a good performance, a positive performance and it was the result we were looking for, which is the most important thing. The game saw young Ross Mann make his league debut for the club. Ross did really well in the Munster Senior Cup the previous Sunday where he scored twice against Rockmount. He has got tremendous pace, he’s very direct as a player and he’s a good young kid who has got a great attitude. He
pitch being so open; the ball took a while to come back onto the pitch and the tempo kind of died a little bit. We were always in control of the game and if there was a team that was going to score then I think it was going to be us. In the second half, again we were comfortable. I think a draw was a fair result. We got another cleansheet and a point away from home, which is an improvement on last year. We didn’t pick up anything at all against Derry, so to come away with a point and a clean-sheet is good. We have the second-best defensive record in the league and that is all credit to the back five. It’s something that we’ll take
“WE HAVE THE SECOND-BEST DEFENSIVE RECORD IN THE LEAGUE AND THAT IS ALL CREDIT TO THE BACK FIVE. IT’S SOMETHING THAT WE’LL TAKE PRIDE IN THIS SEASON, AS BEING HARD TO BREAK DOWN AND BEING SOLID AND RESOLUTE AT THE BACK” has got a real good work ethic about him and a real desire to listen, improve and better himself. That’s why he has got his rewards. He’s in about the first team now. He came on against Athlone; there was no doubt about putting him in. He had a great impact, winning the penalty. He’s always going to cause problems, he’s always going to get chances because of his pace, and he’ll score goals as well – he’s a good finisher. He certainly has grabbed his chance and deservedly earned a start against Derry City on Monday. Reflecting on that game at The Brandywell, I thought we started fairly enough and made use of the good pitch by getting the ball down and passing it. I think the tempo fell out of the game with the
pride in this season, as being hard to break down and being solid and resolute at the back. We’ve got some top players across the back five. We’ll take a lot of pride in our clean-sheets and that’s another one ticked off last Monday. They’re getting close to their targets so well done to them. Looking at tonight’s game, Sligo have been in good form recently but so have we. Both teams are playing well at this moment in time. It will be a good game and hopefully there is a good crowd here to see us and get behind the boys. There will be a few tired legs and we will need your support so make yourselves heard! Enjoy the game, Stuart Taylor
-5 -
CAPTAIN’S LOG VIEW FROM THE DRESSING-ROOM WITH HOMETOWN SKIPPER
Hello and welcome back to Thomond Park formance against Bohemians in Dublin. for this evening’s SSE Airtricity League It was really pleasing to get back-to-back Premier Division match against Sligo Rov- wins. I think it was a deserved victory. In ers. We go into today’s game on the back of the first 30 minutes of the game we were a four-match unbeaten run in the league fairly dominant and took the lead. Shane and confidence in the camp is high. Last Tracy’s deliveries were excellent all game weekend, we took four points from our and have been all season. They’re just two games over the Easter period and waiting for someone to get their head on while we had set out to get six, it was still it. Luckily enough, it touched off the top a good return. Playing Derry City at The of Robbie’s hair! Shane’s set-pieces were Brandywell is always difficult and a draw there is not a bad result. “WE WANT TO KEEP THE UNBEATEN
RECORD GOING. WE’VE GOT A GOOD I’ve always said that if you can win two or three games LITTLE RUN GOING NOW. IT’S ANOTHon the trot in this league ER HOME GAME TONIGHT WHICH IS then you can shoot right up the table, because everyone GOING TO BE A MASSIVE TEST FOR US” takes points off everyone. We have picked up seven points in our last three games and we are top-class and we were a real threat from gradually moving up the standings. It is them. He puts them into great areas for very tight around the middle of the table us to attack them, and we got a good goal at the moment. We still have a game in from them. hand too. We just have to keep building, putting in performances and getting three Looking at the goal we conceded, we repoints as often as we can. We will take ally have to cut out the sloppy mistakes. each game as it comes and our focus now We gave them a sniff and they had someis on Sligo, who will provide a very difficult thing to fight for and hold onto after we task. They had a slow start to the season gave them that goal. It made things a bit but, like ourselves, they have taken eight harder than they should have been for us. points from the last 12 available and are To be fair, the boys have been like rocks at moving in the right direction. the back all season. They’re going to have one or two mistakes through the season. We are a confident group right now. It was Thankfully, we came away with the three good to get our first home win of the sea- points in the end which we were happy son against Athlone Town here last Friday, with. Craig Curran dominated for the time especially after the previous week’s per- that he was playing; it was a big blow los-6-
--7 07--
Everyone at Limerick FC sends our best wishes to club captain Shane Duggan and his fiancée Linda as they prepare to tie the knot this weekend. We hope they have a wonderful day and a very healthy and happy future together. All the best Skip!
ing to him injury but hopefully we can get him back on the pitch soon. He won everything and he held things up for us. But it was a great replacement in Tam McManus to come in. He’s a very experienced player and the goal was top-class. His awareness of the players around him and his finish was excellent. It’s really good to have a player like that coming off the bench, who can turn things around for us. He got the winner and I was delighted for him. Looking back at Monday’s game in Derry, it was good to get a clean-sheet. There were a lot of positives. It probably wasn’t the most entertaining of games; there weren’t many chances. But it was a good point. They were a lot more direct than Derry teams of the past. They go back to front more regularly than usual. When you go to The Brandywell, they normally have a lot of short passes and they like to play little triangles. But this season, they’re more direct. We dealt with it well – they hadn’t many chances. The tempo of the game wasn’t really great. In the first 30 minutes, we were the better side and had most of the possession without creating too many
chances ourselves. A point at The Brandywell is always a positive result and we’ll move on now. We want to keep the unbeaten record going. We have to go into every game looking to pick up three points. We’ve got a good little run going now. It’s another home game tonight which is going to be a massive test for us. Sligo are coming into form in the last few games. I knew that was going to happen sooner rather than later. They hadn’t got the best of starts but they still have a quality squad there. We know we have to be on our game tonight because we know the threat they pose. But the mood in our camp is good and hopefully we can get another win. We have to make our home games count. We didn’t make the best of starts at Thomond Park this season but we got our first victory here last weekend and we’re looking to build on that now. Hopefully, there is a good crowd in attendance this evening to roar us on. Your support makes a big difference, so make yourselves heard and get behind the boys! Enjoy the game, Shane Duggan.
-8-
--9 09--
FEATURE
Photo from Everton FC
KELLY ON COLEMAN Shaun Kelly speaks on the continuing rise of his close friend Séamus Coleman Everton superstar Séamus Coleman remains “the most humble guy you could meet” according to his close friend, former team and classmate Shaun Kelly. The pair grew up together in the fishing port town of Killybegs in Donegal, but they went their separate ways when Kelly left his homeland to join Scottish club Heart of Midlothian in 2005. The following year, Coleman arrived at Sligo Rovers, from where he would earn a move to Everton in 2009, the same year that Shaun returned home to play for Dundalk as he set out on building a career for himself in the League of Ireland. Now, the 25-year-old says he is happy at Limerick, having “learned a lot” at Hearts. And he is not surprised by the rise of Cole-
man, whose impressive 2013/14 campaign has seen him linked with a move to Manchester United among others. “We’re from the same village and were in school all the way up together, until 16 when I moved away to Hearts,” Kelly explained. “He went to Sligo the year after that. We played with each other right up until then. That wasn’t just football, it was GAA as well. We played at Saint Catherine’s together. Seán Connor obviously signed him for Sligo Rovers and it was Seán Connor that took me into the League of Ireland with Dundalk. Séamus has gone on and done unbelievably for himself. He’s one of the best right-backs in the Premier League. I think he should get into the Team of the Year too. On form now, he’s probably the
- 10 -
--11 11 --
FEATURE “SÉAMIE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A TOP PLAYER AND TOP PROFESSIONAL, IN EVERYTHING HE DOES ON AND OFF THE PITCH. HE’S THE MOST HUMBLE GUY YOU COULD MEET. HE HASN’T CHANGED”
team. Since coming home, he has enjoyed a good time in the League of Ireland, playing for Dundalk for two seasons, including appearing in the UEFA Europa League in 2010. A short spell at Galway was followed by a move to Limerick in the middle of 2011, where he has remained since. And when asked if he felt players should sample the League of Ireland before thinking about a move across the water, the Donegal man stated he has no regrets about the path he chose.
best Republic of Ireland player at the minute.
“It’s a big question now in Ireland; people are asking if it’s better that they go and play men’s football here,” he said. “But not everyone gets in the team then. In a way, it might not go for you. For me, at the time, it was either stay and play Youth football for Saint Catherine’s or go to Hearts. For me, it was a no-brainer. I had to go to Hearts, and even to this day I still think it has helped me because Hearts are a big club and the facilities and everything over there were great. Séamie ended up staying and getting into the team in Sligo under Paul Cook. He did brilliantly there and quite rightly got the move to Everton.
“He has always been a top player and top professional, in everything he does on and off the pitch. He’s the most humble guy you could meet. He hasn’t changed. It shows in him when he comes back to Killybegs – it’s still the same Séamie that moved away. I think that has stood to him. He’s just that kind of guy. When he’s home and you see him, he’s still the same person and you still get the text from him and he’s still messing around like the same lad that moved away. I think he’s only going to get better as a player.” “He has been linked with different clubs so you never know what might happen. If he stays at Everton, I think he’ll become an Everton legend. But either way, he’s definitely the best full-back in the Premier League I think at the minute. Maybe beyond as well. He’s going from strength-tostrength every season. He’s 26 next October but he’s still got plenty of years left in him yet. He has already shown what he can do. If he goes on to a bigger club, you never know – he could prove that he’s one of the best in the world if he goes and plays in the Champions League.” Kelly departed for Hearts in 2005 but was unable to make a breakthrough to the first
He grew up playing against men whereas youth players when they go over to England or Scotland they’re playing against young players all the time, which isn’t going to be as good as playing against grown men. That probably stood to him more but some people don’t have the option of doing that. He did and he definitely proved that it helped him. I hope now that he goes on to better things. Personally, I still would have gone away. I feel that I’ve learnt a lot from being over there. If I had stayed here I might not even be playing League of Ireland. You just don’t know. I can’t change what happened. I’m still happy with how it went and I’m enjoying playing for Limerick.”
- 12 -
--13 13 --
COMMUNITY
Limerick FC recently visited Saint Nessan’s National School in Mungret as part of our Schools Programme and promotion push ahead of our home match with Athlone Town on Good Friday. Goalkeeper Shane Cusack and attacking midfielder Garbhán Coughlan went along to visit sixth class, where over 90 pupils across three classes
took part in a Limerick FC based quiz for the chance to win Limerick FC pencil cases. The kids were also given tickets to the game against Athlone. Limerick FC thank St. Nessan’s National School for accommodating us on our visit, where we hope the kids had an enjoyable morning!
- 14 -
7 Upper William Street, Limerick. • Keys cut to code and pattern • Car Keys cut to Car Locks • Transponder Car Keys cut • Car Keys programmed on site – no towing involved • Car Remotes • Yale type locks for Munster Joinery Doors • All types of locks supplied and fitted • Aluminium door locks • 24 Hour Call Out Service – Domestic, Commercial & Automotive Tel 061-414173 Fax 061-313231 email : sales@ryanslocksmiths.com
--15 15 --
LWSSL
The LWSSL 2014 Ladies Season kicked off on Tuesday 22 April. This season, we have three divisions as follows: Division 1: Lifford, Caherdavin, Listowel, Murroe & Bruff. Division 2A: Kilmallock, Herbertstown, Ballylanders, Shannon Town & Cullen Latin Division 2B: Knocklong, Croom, Celtic Ladies A & Celtic Ladies B
Fixtures
The season will run from April to August inclusive and will consist of three Divisional Leagues, Divisional Cups, Open Cup & Junior Cup. Best of luck to Bruff who have been promoted to compete in Division One for the first time this season. Lifford will start as strong favorites for the Division One title again this season having won the League for the last number of years. Division 2A is more difficult to predict with the battle most likely being between Kilmallock and Ballylanders. Good luck to Cullen
Latin, now promoted to Division 2A having won the League & Cup double in Division 2B last season. Division 2B favorites will be Knocklong who narrowly missed out on the medals last season. We hope all clubs, teams, players and coaches have an enjoyable season – good luck to all. To keep upto-date with all fixtures and results logon to our website on www.LWSSL.com. Thanks to Limerick FC for their invitation to the LWSSL U18 League Representative Squad to attend the match against Athlone Town in Thomond Park last Friday. LWSSL 2014 Committee:Chairperson: Trevor Lyttle, Vice Chairperson/Registrar: Robert McInerney, Secretary: Bernice O Connell, Assistant Secretary: Irene Hehir, Treasurer: Declan McDermott, Fixtures Secretary: Joe McCormack, Child Protection Officer: Eileen O’Brien. Anyone wishing to contact the LWSSL committee can do so by e-mailing the secretary at SecretaryLWSSL@gmail.com
SUNDAY 27 APRIL
TUESDAY 29 APRIL
THURSDAY 1 MAY
Fai Umbro Women’s Intermediate Challenge Cup 2014 (Round 1)
Division 1 Murroe v Bruff Caherdavin v Lifford Division 2A Herbertstown v Kilmallock
Division 2a Cullen Latin v Ballylanders Division 2B Croom v Knocklong
Caherdavin v Murroe 11am Ballincollig (Cork) v Kilmallock Lifford (Bye)
Division 2B Celtic A v Celtic B
- 16 -
D ND BROA D
W
MERICK
EB DESIGN
ET PRINT
C M ER H A ND
G
LI
E SH
EA IS
L PRINT ITA IN IG
1937
Print options • Flyers • Brochures • Office Stationary • Posters • Books • Greeting cards • Invitations • Menus • Folders • Newsletters • Tickets
• • • •
Programs Business Cards Manuals And much much more Wide Format Print • Pop-Up Display Systems • Trade Show Graphics • Wide-Format Photo • Banners • Large Format Posters • Retail Graphics
2014 SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Print finishing options • Saddle stitch • Perfect binding • Automatic folding • Laminating • Perforating • Wiro binding • Case binding • Ring binding
www.munsterprint.ie
- PLAYER SPONSORSHIP - GROUND SIGNAGE / TV AND NON TV SIDES -PROGRAMME ADVERTISING - MATCH SPONSORSHIP FOR DETAILS EMAIL johnos@limerickfc.ie OR CALL 085 80 161 05
-17 -
ACADEMY
U17 DEVELOPMENT MATCH Young Superblues join first-team squad for long trip north Last weekend our Under-17 Development squad travelled to Derry alongside our senior squad to play their Derry City counterparts on Monday morning. The trip, culminating in the game which kicked off at 11am in The Brandywell prior to the senior fixture, was designed to prepare the players for the travel and commitment they will need for the upcoming U17 National League as well as for the U19 and Senior SSE Airtricity Leagues, as they progress as players.
worked their way back into the game with McGowan and Maurice Nugent coming close for the away side, before great buildup play saw Derry take a 24th-minute lead. Buoyed by their goal, Derry took a threegoal lead by the 32nd minute as the Superblues struggled to rally under the pressure. They fought back into the game with Jack McInerney and Lee Wall coming close; unfortunately a breakaway Derry goal just before half-time gave a slightly flattering lead to the Candystripes.
The players made the long journey to Ballybofey, Co. Donegal where their match preparations mirrored those of the senior team, allowing them the opportunity to observe the senior professional players’ own preparation in terms of diet, travel, rest and meetings. The game itself proved to be a comprehensive win for the Candystripes, with Jeff McGowan’s late strike adding a small consolation in a 7-1 loss. But the experience was an overwhelmingly positive one with the players gaining a huge understanding of the challenges they will face in national competition, especially in terms of travel, rest and preparation.
The second half was a much more even contest with both ‘keepers being challenged. On the hour mark, Derry won a penalty, which was coolly converted. McGowan pulled a goal back in the 70th minute, slotting coolly past the ‘keeper having shown great strength and pace to create the opportunity. With the visitors tiring, they were unlucky to concede twice more in the closing five minutes.
The game opened at a very brisk pace with a very strong Derry side gaining an early upper hand. The Superblues gradually
At full-time, though disappointed with the result, the mood in the camp was positive as the value of the trip and the experience was pointed out by Peter Clarke and Shane Ryan, who accompanied the side. The team and coaches then took their place in the stands to cheer on Stuart Taylor’s side to an impressive away point.
- 18 -
-19 -
ACADEMY
ACADEMY UPDATE
Both Under-13 Teams Into Cup Finals Craig Downes and Michal Zalewski fired Limerick into the Under-13 Division One Cup final as they overcame Fairview 2-1 in the last four at the Fairgreen on Wednesday evening. On the same night, the club also made it through to the Under-13 Division Two Cup decider following a penalty shootout victory over Shelbourne at Hogan Park. For the game at The Fairgreen, the young Superblues entered in good form, but having overcome Fairview just two days earlier they knew they would be in for another tough game. Limerick started brightly and played some good attacking football, pressing Fairview in their own half for the opening quarter-hour. They got their just rewards soon after when Downes picked the ball up at the edge of the box and controlled it superbly before striking on the half-volley to the bottom corner. Fairview gradually grew into the game. Limerick, though, had some good chances to double their advantage after fine build-up play but they were unable to convert their opportunities. And Fairview made them pay for that as they grabbed an equaliser before half-time. After the break, it was a real battle between the two teams, with both creating openings. With less than ten minutes remaining, Limerick caught Fairview sleeping and a through-ball found Zalewski who showed great calmness to slot the ball beyond the ‘keeper. Still, the game was not finished, with
chances at either end, but Zalewski’s strike proved the winner in what was a classic semi-final where the two teams put in great efforts. Joint-manager Steven Grant, who works alongside Barry Halpin, commented afterwards: “The lads deserve this so much for all the effort they have put in all season in training and in games. We are delighted for them and really proud of them. They are a great bunch of players.” Limerick: Evan Fahey, Rory Walsh, Darragh Slattery, Gerry Brown, Aran McGuane, Seán Erasmus, Rhys Foley, Craig Downes, Ben Greaney, Chris Jastrzebski, Michal Zalewski. Under-10s Make Bright Showing Meanwhile, the club’s Under-10 Greens continued their winning ways with a 10-0 win over Mungret. There were two hat-trick heroes in Darragh McMcNamara and Leon Rushe, while Robert Costelloe grabbed a brace. There were also goals for Jack Hannon and Daniel Quaid. From the coaches’ viewpoint, while happy with the scoreline, what was most pleasing was the way the players played the ball out from the back and they were not afraid to play a passing game. Scott Grant and Leon Kirrane were instrumental in making that happen. The result saw them follow on from recent 6-0 wins over Janesboro and Parkville. McNamara (5), Kirrane (4), Rushe (2) and Liam Griffin (1) were the goalscorers in those victories, with the team in impressive form so far in the second half of their season.
- 20 -
MAY MADNESS HOME GAMES AT THOMOND PARK Friday 16 May THE TITLE CONTENDERS
Limerick v Dundalk, 7.45pm
Tuesday 20 May THE MUNSTER DERBY
Limerick v Cork City, 7.45pm
Friday 23 May THE REIGNING CHAMPIONS
Limerick v St. Pat’s, 7.45pm STAND
3 2
FOR
TERRACE
Adults - €30 for 3 games OAPs / Students - €20 for 3 games Kids - €10 for 3 games
Adults - €24 for 3 games OAPs / Students - €20 for 3 games Kids - €10 for 3 games
Ticket Bundle available from the Limerick FC Store at Arthur's Quay and on Ticketmaster. www.limerickfc.ie
-21 -
THE BIG INTERVIEW: WITH STEPHEN FOLAN Stephen Folan says that he has become a nicer guy since leaving Newcastle United and that Stuart Taylor has managed to get more out of him than any of his previous bosses, with the young defender loving life at Limerick. The Galway native previously enjoyed a ten-year stay at Mervue United before short spells at Galway Hibernians and Salthill Devon were followed by a move to the English giants in 2008 at the age of 16. Folan had been on trial at Newcastle, Reading and Southampton but it was with The Toon that he felt he could map out a career for himself at the top of the English game. Stephen takes up the story. “I had something like ten clubs that wanted to take me on trial,” he explained in an interview with our official club programme this week. “But me and my father sat down and discussed which three teams I wanted to go to. I chose Newcastle, Reading and South-
- 22 -
ampton. We said we would go to those three and whatever happens happens. It’s a lot of travelling and stuff that you have to do by yourself at a young age. It wasn’t that I wasn’t ready for it but I was quite a home-bird. At first, I was really excited. I was going into school and all my mates were asking ‘what’s happening?’. But when you’re in that hotel room by yourself over in England at that age – I’m not going to lie – I had a few cries to myself because I was just so homesick and didn’t know anyone. I went to Southampton and did really well but they said no. I went to Reading and thought I was going to be offered a contract but at the last minute it fell through. I had been to Newcastle six times and I kind of knew after the second time there that they wanted to sign me, so I had my mind kind of set on Newcastle from when I was 13. I turned 16 in January 2008 and moved across straight away. I was
originally meant to go over for two months and come back and then I’d go back again. My family had brought loads of suitcases and I thought it was just all their stuff. When we got to Newcastle, we were in the hotel, having food,
that they had packed all my stuff. They had agreed with Newcastle that once I was there then I wasn’t going to get home for six months. When I went upstairs, the realisation of knowing that I was going to be there for six months
Folan admitted that his first 12 months at Newcastle were tough as he tried to overcome homesickness amid injuries. But he soon settled into life on Tyneside, a place he says he learned many lessons. “The first year was the toughest because I was picking up injuries and wasn’t playing,” he said. “At the time, the Academy Director just didn’t fancy me at set in and I had a little sop to my- all as a footballer. He was always self. After that, I manned up and on my case. It was only because I just got on with it. In my first six was young – he was actually trymonths there, I slipped discs in ing to help me. I think back to the my back so I spent a lot of time hard times that I went through out injured. I was going through when I was there in the first year. another growth period. I wasn’t I came home for the summer and allowed to play anyway because then went back there and started
“I’M REALLY PRIVILEGED AND HONOURED TO PLAY FOR LIMERICK AND TO BE PLAYING UNDER THE CURRENT COACHING STAFF AND CHAIRMAN. I FEEL REALLY GRATEFUL TO THEM. EVERYTHING THEY TOLD ME HAS COME THROUGH” signing the papers and they took me to my digs. The family showed me all around the house, introduced me to everyone and then ten minutes later my Mam and Dad came over, gave me a hug and a kiss and said bye. They just left the bags there. I didn’t realise
I wasn’t registered until the following season. The only games I could play were friendlies. I had gone over early to get fit and strong so that when I came into the season I would have been flying. That was hampered by injuries.”
-23 -
to play more games. I was playing every week and playing Academy and Reserve games. I ended up playing 40 games that season, which was a real breakthrough season for me. I got a new contract out of it. Then injuries happened and my father wasn’t well so I had to come home a few times. The club knew my head wasn’t right because of that. I had a lot of injuries over time and they said that I was injury prone. But I had never had a muscular injury. They were all impact. I had two knee injuries that I needed operations on, I had two cartilage injuries, I did my ligaments in both ankles and I had slipped discs. When I had got to 18, I was actually able to do things and go out with my friends on weekends. There was no curfew then so I could enjoy myself and see what Newcastle had to offer. I probably enjoyed myself too much! But I’ve learned from my mistakes and I’m definitely thankful that it happened when I was younger rather than now. I still had a chance because I was young whereas now I’m at an age where I need to be pushing on. I think if I had made the mistakes now then it could have been game over for me. Looking back on Newcastle overall, there were a lot of ups and downs for me. I’m so grateful for the experience that they gave me. I think a lot of it was my own doing in that I wasn’t there longer than I was. When you’re young, you’re naive and you do certain things that you shouldn’t. It’s just all about growing up. Looking back, I wish I had done things differently, but I have no regrets because I’m here for a reason. It just didn’t work out for me over there. I still speak to quite a lot of the lads there and I wish them all well because there are a lot of good lads there, good coaches and good people. I’m lucky enough to have worked under a lot of great people, like Alan Shearer, Peter Beardsley, Sam Allardyce, Kenny Wharton and Alan
Thompson. I think all of them helped me in different ways. It was a great experience for me.” At the same time, Folan – who was officially released by Newcastle in June 2012 – feels that players beginning a career in the League of Ireland have a better chance of making it in England, as Everton superstar Séamus Coleman has proved after enjoying two full seasons in the first team at Sligo Rovers. “I’m a firm believer in this now; if you’re good enough at 16 then surely you’ll be good enough at 19 or 20,” Stephen stated. “Maybe I should have stayed in Ireland and done my Leaving Cert, even though I probably wouldn’t have got a lot of points! I probably should have stayed here and played League of Ireland. You look at players
- 24 -
who have gone over later, they all started early and have a lot of senior games under their belts. I’m 22 and I should have over 100 senior games played but I’m only coming up to 50. Once you go to England, with the talent and the ability of all the players over there being so high, you have to be exceptional to get into any team, whether that is any of the top four divisions. At the time, maybe I thought I was better than what I was and I probably needed to come back down to Earth again. Growing up as a kid, you dream of playing in the Premier League. When a top club comes calling for you, saying how much they want you and how much potential and ability you could have, it’s like butter melting in your mouth. You want to hear those things.
“I THINK I’M A NICE PERSON NOW WHEREAS BEFORE WHEN I WAS IN ENGLAND I WASN’T VERY NICE. THAT’S BECAUSE I WAS SURROUNDED BY SO MANY ARROGANT PEOPLE AND THE WAY EVERYONE ACTED I PERCEIVED THAT TO BE NORMAL AND IT WASN’T”
But when you get over there you realise they’re only saying those things so that nobody else gets you. When you go to them, you’re just another piece of the furniture. You’re treated like any other kid. You’re not treated like the kid that they wanted to sign six months earlier. My advice now to any kid in Ireland would be to stay in Ireland, learn your trade here and get as many senior games as you can under your belt. When you’re 19 or in your early 20s, you’re still young enough to go over there, with maybe 150 games under your belt. In my last two seasons at Newcastle, I only played ten games because of injuries and what have you. Other people around my age, like Andy Boyle at Dundalk who’s 23, has over 150 games. That’s what I should have by the time I’m 23
but that’s not going to happen. I think coming back to Ireland has been the best thing for me; I’ve relished it and I think I’ve taken my opportunity here. I’m really privileged and honoured to play for Limerick and to be playing under the current coaching staff and Chairman. I feel really grateful to them. Everything they told me when I met them in January 2013 has come through. I don’t think if I had gone elsewhere that I would have played as much as I have here. I’m very thankful to the Gaffer and the Chairman for looking after me in that respect.”
explained. “But Stuart rang me and as soon as he did I made my decision straight away. He told me that I’d play games and it has been the best thing for me. I’m very grateful to Stuart for giving me the opportunity of playing games. He did a lot of work with me individually on my fitness during pre-season to get me back up to speed. Coming to Limerick is the best decision that I’ve made in my footballing career so far. The way Stuart, Pat O’Sullivan and Kieran Judge sold everything to me, it was just a brilliant opportunity that I couldn’t turn down. People were telling me to go elsewhere but they were all wrong. People said go to Rovers because you’d be on more money – it’s not about money. It’s about playing games. This is the mindset I have now whereas before I was maybe a little bit more selfish and greedy in terms of money. It’s weird because now I’ve got less I’m happier and a lot more appreciative towards everything. I’m very grateful to Stuart for getting me back down to Earth.
I think I’m a nice person now whereas before when I was in England I wasn’t very nice. That’s because I was surrounded by so many arrogant people and the way everyone acted I perceived that to be normal and it wasn’t. I’m just so glad to be back down to Earth and humble again. I’m just grateful for the opportunity that Limerick have given me. As soon as I was released, out of that environment and sitting at home Folan had looked set to move thinking about things, I knew the to Leeds United after his release way I was acting wasn’t normal. from Newcastle and then a trial I felt so much happier when I at Rotherham United was scup- was released and I wasn’t around pered because of injury. When he certain people. My personality returned home, Shamrock Rovers, changed and I went back to norSligo Rovers and Dundalk sig- mal. Now, I’m so down to Earth nalled interest in the centre-half. and so much more modest than But he has no doubt that he made what I used to be. It’s all because the correct choice to join the Su- of Stuart drilling things into my perblues. “I think Trevor (Croly) head. I think the Gaffer has got wanted to keep me for another the best out of me so far out of week and then he was going to any coach. It’s a credit to him, bemake a final decision,” Stephen cause I was hard work.”
-25 -
SQUADS SLIGO ROVERS
IAN BARACLOUGH MANAGER
STUART TAYLOR MANAGER SHANE CUSACK (GK) SHAUN KELLY ROBBIE WILLIAMS RETIRED STEPHEN FOLAN DANNY GALBRAITH © SHANE DUGGAN RORY GAFFNEY (vc) CRAIG CURRAN SHANE TRACY PATRICK NZUZI BARRY RYAN (GK) MICHAEL LEAHY PRINCE AGYEMANG SHANE COSTELLOE TAM MCMANUS BARRY SHEEDY DARRAGH RAINSFORD VAL FEENEY JAMES MCGRATH COLM MURPHY SAMUEL OJI TONY WHITEHEAD GARBHÁN COUGHLAN KIERAN HANLON SEÁN MCSWEENEY JASON HUGHES ROSS MANN SHANE WALSH PAUDIE O’CONNOR ALI ABASS (GK)
1 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 32 33 34
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 18 20 21 22 23 24 25 27 28 29 30 31 32 33
- 26 -
GARY ROGERS (GK) ALAN KEANE DANNY LEDWITH GAVIN PEERS EVAN MCMILLAN JEFF HENDERSON DANNY NORTH DAVID CAWLEY SEÁN MAGUIRE RAFFAELE CRETARO ROSS GAYNOR RICHARD BRUSH (GK) PAUL O’CONOR JOSEPH NDO KALEN SPILLANE JOHN RUSSELL AARON GREENE KIERAN DJILALI ERIC ODHIAMBO CIAN BRENNAN JAKE DYKES GARY BOYLAN REGAN DONELAN JORDAN LOFTUS SÉAMUS CONNEELY ADAM MURPHY (GK) ROSS TAHENY MICHAEL CASEY LIAM FLATLEY
-27 -
10 TAKE TEN: COLM MURPHY Short Bio: Colm Murphy (born: 28 November 1995) is a young left-back who played all the way up with local club Castleisland FC in County Kerry, until he joined Limerick as a 16-year-old ahead of the 2012/13 Under-19 season. Murphy has made steady progress at the club and last August he made his senior debut from the bench when he came on against Dundalk in the FAI Cup at Oriel Park after 57 minutes. He followed that up with his league bow the following month as a late substitute in the win over Shamrock Rovers and started the final two games of the Premier Division campaign.
1) What do you eat for breakfast? Corn Flakes and boiled eggs
6) What is the most random thing you can think of right now? A giraffe
2) Name one thing that not many people know about you? I used to be a striker
7) Which one of your teammates would you least like to be stuck in a lift with? Has to be Craigy haha
3) When you were a kid what did you want to be when you grew up (apart from a footballer!)? A Gaelic footballer
8) If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to play you? Will Ferrell
4) If you could have one superpower, what would it be? The Flash’s superhuman speed 5) Which one of your teammates spends the most time in front of the mirror? Jason Hughes
9) If you had to do karaoke, what one song would you sing? Stand By Me 10) If you could have dinner with three people – real or fictional – who would you invite? Alex Ferguson, Peter Griffin and Cheryl Cole
- 28 -
-29 -
PROFILES SHANE CUSACK
SHAUN KELLY
ROBBIE WILLIAMS
STEPHEN FOLAN
Born: 9 March 1989 / Ireland
Born: 2 October 1984 / Eng-
Born: 14 January 1992 / Ire-
Born: 24 June 1992 / Ireland
Ex-Clubs:
land. Ex-Clubs: Huddersfield
land. Ex-Clubs: Mervue United,
Ex-Clubs: Newmarket Celtic,
Hearts, Dundalk, Galway
Town, Stockport County,
Galway Hibernians, Salthill
Colchester United
United
Rochdale, Plymouth Argyle
Devon, Newcastle United
St.
Catherine’s,
1
2
DANNY GALBRAITH
3
SHANE DUGGAN
5
RORY GAFFNEY
Born: 11 March 1989 / Ireland
CRAIG CURRAN Born: 23 August 1989 /
Born: 19 August 1990 /
Ex-Clubs: Fairview Rangers,
Born: 23 October 1989 /
England. Ex-Clubs: Tranmere
Scotland. Ex-Clubs: Hearts,
Plymouth Argyle, UCD, Cork
Ireland
Rovers, Carlisle United, More-
Manchester United, Hibernian
City
Ex-Clubs: Mervue United
cambe, Rochdale, Chester
7
8
SHANE TRACY
9
PATRICK NZUZI
10
BARRY RYAN
MICHAEL LEAHY
Born: 29 August 1978 / Ireland Born: 14 September 1988 /
Born: 24 October 1992 /
Ex-Clubs: UCD, Shamrock Rov-
Born: 30 April 1989 /
Ireland. Ex-Clubs: Wembley
DR Congo. Ex-Clubs: Wallsend
ers, Dublin City, Saint Patrick’s
Ireland
Rovers, Arsenal, Galway United
Boys Club, Newcastle United
Athletic, Galway United
Ex-Clubs: Belvedere, UCD
11
12
14
PRINCE AGYEMANG
SHANE COSTELLOE
TAM MCMANUS
15 BARRY SHEEDY
Born: 28 February 1981 / Born: 25 December 1994 /
Born: 3 August 1995 /
Scotland. Ex-Clubs: Colorado
Born: 1 January 1994 /
Ghana. Ex-Clubs: Right to
Ireland
Rapids, Derry City, Ayr United,
Ireland
Dream Academy
Ex-Clubs: Kilcornan
Rochester Rhinos
Ex-Clubs: Kilmallock United
16
17 - 30 -
18
19
DARRAGH RAINSFORD
VAL FEENEY
JAMES MCGRATH
COLM MURPHY
Born: 15 November 1994 /
Born: 12 January 1996 /
Born: 9 February 1995 /
Born: 28 October 1995 /
Ireland.
Ireland. Ex-Clubs: Birr Town,
Ireland.
Ireland.
Ex-Clubs: Fairview Rangers
Athlone Town
Ex-Clubs: Nenagh
Ex-Clubs: Castleisland
20 SAMUEL OJI
21
22
TONY WHITEHEAD
GARBHAN COUGHLAN
Born: 9 October 1985 / England. Orient,
Ex-Clubs: Hereford
23 KIERAN HANLON
Born: 24 January 1993 /
Born: 11 April 1995 /
Leyton
Born: 22 December 1995 /
Ireland.
Ireland.
United,
Ireland.
Ex-Clubs: Mungret Regional,
Ex-Clubs: Hyde Rangers, Pike
Ex-Clubs: Charleville
Ballincollig, Athlone Town
Rovers
Ljungskile SK, Tamworth
24
25
26
JASON HUGHES
SEAN McSWEENEY
27
ROSS MANN
SHANE WALSH
Born: 9 April 1991 / Ireland Born: 8 October 1997 /
Ex-Clubs: Geraldines, Lourdes
Born: 9 January 1996 /
Born: 6 October 1996 /
Ireland.
Celtic, Athlone Town, Janes-
Ireland.
Ireland.
Ex-Clubs: Shannonside
boro, Ballynanty Rovers
Ex-Clubs: Kilcornan
Ex-Clubs: Pike Rovers
28
29
PAUDIE O’CONNOR
ALI ABASS
30 STUART TAYLOR
32 ANTHONY FENNELLY
Born: 26 November 1974 /
Born: 12 August 1978 / Ire-
Born: 14 July 1997 /
Born: 22 March 1995 / Ghana
Scotland. Ex-Clubs As Player:
land. Ex-Clubs As Player: Dun-
Ireland.
Ex-Clubs: Right to Dream
Ross County, Airdrie United,
dalk, Athlone Town,
Ex-Clubs: Regional United
Academy
Hamilton Academical
Kilkenny City, Longford Town
33
34 -31 -
m
c
FIXTURES AIRTRICITY LEAGUE DATE
FIXTURE
RESULT
1
Fri 7th March 7.45
Limerick FC - v - Bray Wanderers
0-0
2
Fri 14th March 7.45
Dundalk - v - Limerick FC
2-1
3
Sat 22nd March 3.15
St. Patrick’s Athletic - v - Limerick FC
1-1
4
Fri 28th March 7.45
Limerick FC - v - Drogheda Utd
0-1
5
Fri 4th April 7.45
U.C.D - v - Limerick FC
1-1
6
Fri 11th April 7.45
Bohemians - v - Limerick FC
0-1
7
Fri 18th April 7.45
Limerick FC - v - Athlone Town
2-1
8
Mon 21st April 3.00
Derry City - v - Limerick FC
0-0
9
Fri 25th April 7.45
Limerick FC - v - Sligo Rovers
10
Fri 2nd May 8.00
Shamrock Rovers - v - Limerick FC
11
Fri 9th May 7.45
Bray Wanderers - v - Limerick FC
12
Fri 16th May 7.45
Limerick FC - v - Dundalk
13
Tues 20th May 7.45
Limerick FC - v - Cork City (rescheduled)
14
Fri 23rd May 7.45
Limerick FC - v - St. Patrick’s Athletic
15
Fri 30th May 7.45
Drogheda Utd - v - Limerick FC
full fixtures @ limerickfc.ie
- 32 -
-33 -
LEAGUE POINTS SHARED AT THE BRANDYWELL Superblues forced to settle for a draw in Derry Shane Tracy went agonisingly close to an 84th-minute winner with a free-kick but Limerick were forced to settle for a share of the points as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Derry City at The Brandywell on Easter Monday afternoon. The result extended their unbeaten league run to four. Manager Stuart Taylor made just one change from the team that lined out in the win over Athlone Town last Friday, and it was an enforced one as Craig Curran failed to recover in time from his hamstring injury. He was replaced by 18-year-old Ross Mann for his full league debut having impressed in a cameo appearance against the Midlanders. Limerick started brightly and had the first effort on goal inside four minutes when a move that started with Barry Ryan’s kickout ended with Jason Hughes teeing up Tracy who, from 20-yards, fired wide. Shortly after, Robbie Williams struck an ambitious effort over from distance, before Williams flicked a long Rory Gaffney throw-in onto captain Shane Duggan at the back post but, slightly off-balance, he shot off target.
Before the break, Gaffney found Prince in the box but the young midfielder’s shot was well blocked by a combination of two defenders, as the sides went in level. After the resumption, Hughes’ shot from 18-yards was deflected into the arms of Gerard Doherty, as Limerick continued as the better side. In a quiet second half, Derry had a chance on 73 minutes when Michael Duffy got in behind Shaun Kelly but the winger fired into the side-netting. Soon after, Oji produced a brilliant clearance from Patrick McEleney’s free-kick as David Elebert threatened. McEleney and fellow substitute Darragh Rainsford then exchanged shots from distance at either end which were comfortable for both ‘keepers, before McEleney’s cross was met by Duffy at the back post but he directed his header straight at Ryan. Six minutes from time, Tracy was presented with a freekick opportunity 25-yards out and the midfielder could hardly have gone closer as his effort went agonisingly over, as Limerick took a point back south.
Past the quarter-hour mark, Prince Agyemang tried his luck from 30-yards but his effort drifted wide. Derry then threatened for the first time through Aaron Barry whose header was cleared by Samuel Oji. On 32 minutes, Limerick broke from a Derry corner and Duggan put Prince through but the linesman’s flag went up in what appeared to be a very tight call. Seconds later, at the other end, Enda Curran fired over from the right angle of the area.
- 34 -
LIMERICK FC 14. Barry Ryan, 2. Shaun Kelly, 24. Samuel Oji, 5. Stephen Folan, 3. Robbie Williams, 29. Jason Hughes, 8. Shane Duggan ©, 16. Prince Agyemang (18. Tam McManus 59), 11. Shane Tracy, 30. Ross Mann (20. Darragh Rainsford 70), 9. Rory Gaffney Unused Subs: 1. Shane Cusack (GK), 21. Val Feeney, 23. Colm Murphy, 25. Tony Whitehead, 32. Shane Walsh
-35 -
COMMUNITY MEMORIES LIMERICK FC HELP LAUNCH SPECIAL OLYMPICS FIRE WALK
Special Olympics’ main fundraising event for the Limerick 2014 Games is a World Record Fire Walking Challenge. There is an attempt at a World Record for the most individuals consecutively Fire Walking at a Single Venue. The record is currently held by a group in New Zealand and stands at 608 people. The event will take place on Friday 16 May in the Kilmurry Lodge, Castletroy and the event is being run in association with Brian Moore (Peak Potential), Ireland’s Only Fire Walking Master Instructor. The Special Olympics World Record Fire Walk Challenge is supported by a host of Sports personalities including our own Stephen Folan, Prince Agyemang and Ali Abass, who were at the launch alongside first-team manager Stuart Taylor. Unfortunately, none of the Superblues will be able to partake on the evening as they welcome Dundalk to Thomond Park for an SSE Airtricity League Premier Division clash. Many from Limerick and Clare GAA including Ollie Moran and Pat Donnellan are also supporting the event, while former Irish, Lion and Munster rugby legend David Wallace is committed to taking part
in the Fire Walk. Special Olympics are also delighted to announce SuperValu as the official sponsor of the Fire Walk Challenge and proud partners of the Special Olympics Limerick 2014 Games. Participants arrive at 7pm on the night of the Fire Walk and take part in a one-hour Motivational Seminar. After the seminar is completed, participants are led out to the Fire Lanes with Percussion Drums adding to the atmosphere. After the Fire Walk, there will be free entry to the ‘after-party’. Entertainment on the night will include a well-known Limerick band and performances from Fire Breathers, Dancers and Drummers. Each participant in the Fire Walk must raise a minimum of €75 to partake (Students to raise €50). Anyone who would like to take part in the Fire Walk for Special Olympics Limerick 2014 can sign up on their website at www.specialolympics.ie and follow the link to the Fire Walk event. Alternatively, they can request a Sponsorship Pack directly from Frank by e-mailing frank.troy@specialolympics.ie or by phoning 085-8626403. Photo: Keith Wiseman Photography.http://kwisemanphoto.ie/
- 36 -
2004 Opel Zafira, 7 seater – NCT one year 2005 Suzuki Wagon R – NCT one year 2004 Audi A3 Diesel – NCT one year 2004 Nissan Micra, on 50,000 miles, NCT test 2004 Peugeot 307 convertible black 2004 Toyota Corolla, Luna, only 70,000 miles, mint condition, NCT tested. 2004 Toyota Yaris, silver, one year NCT, low mileage 2005 Renault Laguna Diesel – NCT one year 2002 Toyota Yaris, silver, one year NCT, low mileage. 2002 Renault Megane Coupe – NCT one year 2002 Opel Astra – NCT one year 2002 BMW 3 series blue four door – NCT one year
Several other select second-hand cars in stock to clear at bargain prices including:
un y H ed, f, 2 d 1 a 0 o 2 l o fully ramic ro s ano 00 mile p l c in 9,0 1 y l On
F O R CA EEK , 5 W THE dai IX3
John on 085 8501000
2008 Opel Astra Diesel NCT April 2016 2008 VW Polo Automatic low mileage 2008 VW Golf Automatic, silver, low mileage. 2008 Toyota Yaris Automatic 2007 Toyota Yaris Automatic 2007 VW Passat Diesel 2006 Nissan Micra Automatic 2005 Nissan Micra Automatic 2005 Honda Jazz automatic 2003 Honda Jazz automatic
Graham on 087 2432738
2011 Ford S Max 7 Seater 2010 Ford Focus Zetec (Silver) TDCI 2010 Nissan Qashqai 1.5 diesel 2010 Mini Cooper Diesel 2010 Toyota Prius Hi-spec, low mileage. 2010 Opel Insignia Elite high spec DCI 2010 Skoda Octavia Black Diesel fantastic value 2010 Toyota Prius Hybrid Hi Spec 2010 Opel Zafira Diesel Hi Spec, choice Black or silver unbelievable value 2010 Peugeot 308 HDI Sport Version, Immaculate condition 2010 VW Golf 1.6 diesel Black mint condition.
Contact: John on 087 2617095
2013 Ford Focus Zetec Sport (Black) 2013 Hyundai I40 premium, fully loaded 2012 Hyundai IX35 premium, fully loaded (Black) 2012 Kia Ceed (new model) 1.6 dsl – Beautiful Car 2012 Ford Focus Zetec (Grey) TDCI 2012 Hyundai I30 new model a real beauty 2012 Hyundai I40 premium, fully loaded 2011 Skoda Octavia Estate, Laurin & Klement (only one in country) 2011 Hyundai i30 Black Diesel Hi Spec 2011 Kia Ceed 2011 Nissan Micra Automatic
-37 -
GARY SPAIN MEDIA COVERAGE Gary Spain questions why our National League struggles for media exposure We could have had a couple of contend- ning a competition to find the country’s ers for the April Goal of the Month. Tam most loyal and passionate Liverpool fan McManus curled in a beautiful winner with a view to bringing them to the Newagainst Athlone Town not to mention his castle game to see them receive the Pre40-yard effort in Turner’s Cross against mier League trophy. One could argue that Rockmount. The cameras weren’t in Turn- the more passionate fans might already er’s Cross but it wouldn’t have mattered. have flights and tickets but a weekly winSeán Gannon rounded off a 36-pass move ner won his prize for naming his child with a fabulous goal for Dundalk against Smicer. He beat off someone who drove Saint Patrick’s Athletic. If Barcelona had from Eastern Holland to the Czech Repubscored that we would never have heard lic (it’s approximately seven hours) for a the end of it. It was one of the goals of the year yet ‘“BOTH GOALS ARE GETTING INTERprobably won’t even be the April Goal of the Month givNATIONAL ACCLAIM YET ARE LARGELY en Chris Forrester’s stunning IGNORED BY THE DOMESTIC MEDIA.” effort in Drogheda. Both goals are getting International acclaim yet are largely ignored by the domestic media. Apparently the team in seventh place in the English Premier League have sacked their manager. I think it is fair to say that all 12 clubs in the Premier Division could sack their managers on the same day here without receiving a fraction of the media coverage. It has often been debated as to what our league needs to do to attract more fans and to me the one thing that would help most of all is hype. I think we have a good product. Sure, the quality of football is not on a par with that across the water but then I don’t see Manchester United fans suddenly turning into Bayern or Real Madrid fans because they currently play better football. A national radio station is currently run-
UEFA Cup game and the guy who walked to the pub in the rain for a Carling Cup tie on Sky. I made the last one up. Nobody is that loyal. One wonders if Darren leaving Limerick on a bus before 8am on Monday morning to get to Dublin and then travel to The Brandywell via Belfast qualifies but probably not. On 14 May, this country will get to pay homage to the great Stevie G et al in a packed Aviva Stadium. How many children will be called Stevie in honour of the title-winning captain? Exactly a month later, the pubs will be packed as many of the same loyal fans will roar on Andrea, Daniele and Mario. If a Stevie G penalty is saved by Gianluigi the country will probably go mad in celebration. Anyway, hype or no hype I’ll be happy if Tam scuffs in the winner off his shin tonight.
- 38 -
Powering Live Football
#lovelivefootball -39 -
FEAT
SPORTS SCIENCE:
DEREK MCCARTHY BACK IN BLUE A well-known figure at Limerick FC, the club’s former striker Derek McCarthy recently returned as Head of Sports Science with the Superblues. Already, the influence of McCarthy – who worked in a similar role with Blackburn Rovers and Preston North End in England for over three years – has been noticeable, with the players’ fitness levels improving significantly since he joined during pre-season. Derek’s fresh hairstyle will also have been noticeable to supporters over the past week, with a football design helping to raise funds for the Mid-Western Radiation Oncology Centre. McCarthy, a native of Ardpatrick, joined Limerick in 1997 as a Youth player under Noel O’Connor before Dave Connell handed him his first-team debut against Cobh Ramblers. He worked under
a number of managers, winning a League Cup in 2002 under O’Connor, while he also had spells at Galway United and Waterford United. He took up the role as Reserve Team Sports Scientist at Blackburn Rovers in January 2009, remaining there for two years before another year spell at Preston. “I have to pay a lot of credit to Dave Mahedy in UL,” Derek explained, when asked how he initially found himself in a Sports Science role. “At the time, I was playing with Limerick and I just wasn’t happy with what I was doing work-wise. I had been doing my coaching badges – I did my UEFA B coaching badge – and I wanted to get involved and add another string to my bow. I had a very good meeting with Dave and he was able to make a few phone-calls on my behalf. I was able to go back and study
- 40 -
TURE Sports Science as a mature student in UL. ers coming back from injury are eased back From that, I got an opportunity to work at into training in an appropriate way and Blackburn Rovers, initially as experience as that we don’t over-exert them on their way part of my degree. Then I got offered a role back in their recovery. So far, it has been to be a paid member of staff as Reserve quite successful. I think our injury rate has Team Sports Scientist, so I decided to de- come down significantly over the last few fer my studies for a year. Then I finished weeks. Hopefully, touch wood, we can conmy studies in UCLAN. That’s where I did my tinue with that.” Masters as well. I was just over two years at Blackburn Rovers and then moved on to McCarthy is also delighted to be able to work with Phil Brown at Preston North End enjoy such a role at his hometown club. “I as Head of Sports Science. That was a great was lucky enough to play for the club which experience for me. It was different work- was my local team,” he said. “Even to this ing as head of a department as opposed day, I have to pay credit to the fans. They to just being another cog in the wheel as always still give me a good reception. The I was at Blackburn under the tutelage of fans maybe remember some of the goals Mark Howard, who is a highly experienced that I scored when playing for the club. Sports Scientist in England. I learned an But for me, it’s ideal. I went to England to awful lot and the biggest thing I felt com- gain experience. I love living in Ireland and ing back to Ireland and Limerick is hopefully I can bring “WITH BRUFF, I’M SURE WE WILL BE ON some of that expertise that I learned across the water A PAR WITH WHAT I EXPERIENCED AT back to the football club PRESTON AND POSSIBLY EVEN LOOKhere.”
ING TOWARDS THE PROFESSIONALISM
Explaining how his return THAT I EXPERIENCED AT BLACKBURN came about and what the role entails, Derek added: ROVERS”’ “I spoke with the Gaffer immediately after coming back from En- living in Kilmallock where my family are. gland. I had just finished my Masters in the That’s ultimately where I want to be based. University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN). I The fact that I can now work for Limerick graduated there in December and decided FC as a Sports Scientist is just the icing on to move home. I had a good conversation the cake for me.” with Stuart and he said if a role came up Asked if there was a big difference bewith regards to looking after the Sports tween dealing with Blackburn, Preston and Science side of things with the football Limerick players, Derek said: “From a playclub that I’d be able to get involved. The er’s point of view, no, because all players role is about the overall fitness levels of are the same. We’re all working at different the players. The most important aspect of levels. Finance is probably the biggest difit is trying to keep the players injury-free. ference with regards to the role that I have. I spend a lot of time with them in pre- There are certain differences because we hab work prior to training, general fitness don’t own our own training facilities at the during training and then after training minute. But moving out to Bruff, speaking working on overall strength training. That’s to the club with regards to what plans are to help improve the players’ strength to in place, I’m sure we will be on a par with hopefully prevent injuries. I also work very what I experienced at Preston and possibly close with our physios Martin Cooney and even looking towards the professionalism Barry Heffernan, just making sure any play- that I experienced at Blackburn Rovers.”
-41 -
GROUND REGULATIONS
ALL PERSONS ENTERING THIS STADIUM ARE ADMITTED ONLY SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING GROUND REGULATIONS AND RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE CLUB. ENTRY TO THE STADIUM SHALL BE DEEMED TO CONSTITUTE UNQUALIFIED ACCEPTANCE OF ALL THESE RULES AND REGULATIONS. All personnel entering this stadium are admitted only subject to the fol-
The climbing of floodlight pylons, stands or other buildings in the stadi-
lowing Stadium Regulations and to the Rules and Regulations of the Irish
um is forbidden. CCTV equipment is in use at the stadium and Thomond
Rugby Football Union. Entry to the stadium shall constituteunqualified ac-
Park Stadium Company may itself use, or pass to An Garda Síochána or any
ceptance of all these Rules and Regulations.
event organiser or other relevant authority, any recordings for use in any
Thomond Park Stadium Company Ltd. reserves the right to reschedule the
proceedings. Unnecessary noise such as that from the use of radio sets and
event without notice and without any liability whatsoever.
behaviours likely to cause confusion or nuisance of any kind,
Thomond Park Stadium Company. Excludes to the maximum extent per-
including foul or abusive language, is NOT permitted in any part of the
mitted by law any liability for loss, injury or damage to persons/property in
stadium. Thomond Park Stadium may impose a ban from the ground as a
or around the stadium.
result.
In the event of a postponement or abandonment of the Event,refunds (if
The following acts are offences: Racial, homophobic or discriminatory
any) should be claimed in accordance with the relevant ticket terms and
abuse. Throwing of any object within the ground without lawful authority
conditions. Thomond Park Stadium will have NOother liability whatsoever,
or excuse. The chanting of anything of an indecent, discriminatory or ra-
including (but NOT limited to) any indirect or consequential loss or dam-
cialist nature. The entry onto the playing area or any other area to which
age, such as (but NOT limited to) loss of enjoyment or travel costs. All
spectators are NOT generally admitted without lawful authority or excuse.
persons seeking entrance to the event acknowledge ThomondParks Stadi-
Any person who fails to comply with the instructions from a steward, an of-
um’s right to search any person whether outside or inside the stadium and
ficer of Thomond Park Stadium Company or a member of An Garda Síochá-
refuse entry to or eject from the stadium any person refusing to submit to
na may be ejected from the stadium.
such a search.
Any person who has entered any part of the stadium designated for the use
All persons entering the event may only occupy the seat allocated to them
of any group of supporters to which they do NOT belong may be ejected
by their ticket and must not move from one part of the stadium to anoth-
from the stadium for the purposes of their own safety or any other reason.
er without the express permission or instruction of any steward, office of
In general the right of admission is reserved to the Stadium
Thomond Park Stadium Company. and /or any Garda Officer.
Management. The Stadium Management reserves the right to refuse ad-
Tickets are NOT transferable and may NOT be offered for sale without the
mission or eject any person who refuses to be searched by a member of
prior written permission of Thomond Park Stadium. Any tickets offered for
an Garda Siochana. Any person who remains in a gangway may be ejected
sale may be confiscated by any steward, officer of Thomond Park Stadium
from the stadium. Smoking in NON smoking areas is strictly forbidden.
or any Garda.
NO person (other than those who hold an appropriate licence) may bring
Fireworks, smoke canisters, bottles, glasses, cans, flags, banners, poles and
into the ground or use within the ground any equipment which iscapable
other similar articles or containers, including anything which could or
of recording or transmitting (by digital or other means) any audio, visu-
might be used as a weapon, are NOT permitted within the stadium, and any
al, or audio-visual material or any other information or data in relation
person in possession of such an article or container may be refused entry
to the event or the stadium. Copyright in any unauthorised recording or
or ejected from the stadium.
transmission is assigned (by way of present assignment of future copyright
The consumption of intoxicating liquors is permitted only in authorized
pursuant of the Copyright and Related Rights Act2000) to Thomond Park
areas and spectators are NOT permitted to bring alcohol into the arena.
Stadium Company.
Plastic glasses will be used in all but the hospitality area in the East Stand.
Thomond Park Stadium Company/event promoters reserve the right for its
Persons may be required to show identification in order to prevent under-
servants or agents to remove from the stadium any person who
age drinking. All bars are to be operated in accordance with the provisions
does NOT comply with the Stadium Regulations or whose presence on the
of the liquor licensing act.zz
stadium could reasonably be construed as constituting a source of danger,
NO goods (including literature) of any nature may be offered either free
nuisance or annoyance to other spectators. This could lead to further ac-
or for sale by any person within the stadium without the express written
tion including , but NOT limited to, a ban from the stadium or proceedings
permission of Thomond Park Stadium Company.
being taken.
- 42 -
SUPPORTERS
BE PART OF LIMERICK FC AND JOIN THE LIMERICK FC OFFICIAL SUPPORTERS’ CLUB
CONGRATULATIONS TO
SAM OJI PLAYER OF THE MONTH FOR MARCH Presentation After The Match In The Dugout Bar
Membership Available Now Adults €10, Family €20, Under-16s & Students €5. Many Benefits include: • • • • • • • • •
Membership Card and Car Sticker Discount on Selected Merchandise From Club Shop (€5 off New Home Shirt when available) Competitions/Ezines/Social Events Corporate Membership Rates for Energize Health Club at The Strand Hotel, Limerick Vote for Player of the Month/Player of the Year. Win Chance to Present Trophy Organised Trips to Selected Away Matches (Subject To Interest) Q&A Sessions With The Players 10% Discount on Concert/Sporting Events etc Booked Through Kelly Travel, kellytravel.ie (T&C Apply) Entry Into Free Draw To Win Two Tickets To Republic Of Ireland Home Games
Contact the OSC on 087-1862678 or email: supportersclub@limerickfc.ie Or Why Don’t You Join Us After The Match in The Dugout Bar for Chat, Music and a Chance To Meet The Players Membership Welcome Packs are ready for collection from The Dugout Bar before or after the match OSC Polo Shirts Available, priced €20!
-43 -
- 44 -