Munster Senior Cup Semi-Final: Limerick v Cork City - 28 February 2015

MUNSTER SENIOR CUP SEMI-FINAL. Clounreask, Askeaton, Saturday 28 February 2015, 1pm F i r s t -Te a m 2 0 1 5 P r o g r a m m e C o l l e c t i o n , I s s u e 1

V E R S U S

C O R K

C I T Y

LI

MERICK

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C L O U N R E A S K ,

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A S K E A T O N

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MA N AG E R’ S N OT E S G

ood afternoon and welcome to our Munster Senior Cup semi-final against Cork City here in Askeaton.

We extend a warm welcome to John Caulfield, his players, backroom team, the officials and supporters of Cork City FC who have made the trip here today for what is a good test ahead of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division season which gets underway next weekend.

was played on an extremely testing pitch.

Both teams made plenty of mistakes and had plenty of chances. On another night it could have been 6-5 either way.

John and his players enjoyed a fantastic season last year and they have strengthened during the winter so we know we are in for a very difficult match today. John has said that he wants to win this competition and the ambition is the same for us so it should make for a good Cup tie. As I said before our quarter-final match, this competition is not as high-profile as the others that we play in this year but it is a trophy and you always want to win your games, even in friendlies. Especially facing Cork, it is an important match for the supporters and the players will be doing their utmost to qualify for the final which would be a nice note to go into the league season on.

We looked at a couple of things during the game. We played one way in the first half and another way in the second half, which was the plan beforehand, and we utilised the game to have a look at a couple of players. It was a good exercise. We are looking forward to the challenges ahead.

I would like to think we’ll be as competitive as we can be. It’s an ongoing process at the club and the transition that we are going through on and off the field is something we have to work through and come out the other end of. Certainly, I have been delighted by the attitude and application shown by the players throughout pre-season and I would encourage all of our supporters to get behind us. Thanks for your support today and I look forward to seeing you at Jackman Park next Saturday evening for our league opener against Bohemians (6.30pm). Enjoy the match.

There has been plenty of work going on behind-the-scenes in preparation for next week’s kick-off and as well as our quarter-final match in this competition against Leeds we had a couple of in-house matches. Training has also gone very well. Last weekend, we had a good run-out against Cobh Ramblers at Saint Colman’s Park. It

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CA PTAIN ’ S N OT E S H

ello and welcome to today’s Munster Senior Cup semi-final against one of my former clubs Cork City. As Martin says, this competition is probably the least-profile one we are playing in this year but we want to win every game and especially in a derby against Cork the players will be fully motivated to get a positive result and make it through to the final.

We are all looking forward to the league season now at this stage, just seven days away. From a personal point of view, I’m sure there is more to come from me. I felt I finished last season strongly and I just want to build on that now. Every season, you set yourself targets and challenges. I really want to hit the ground running now come the first game of the season. It’s important we get a good start.

hard runs because that’s when you’re going to benefit hopefully. Today will be a good test too in the lead-up to that. We have a lot of young lads coming in training this season. It’s up to them to make the most of it and try to get a starting place in the team.

We haven’t got the biggest of squads so far this season so the lads that are up training have to make the most of it and earn a place in the starting team. That goes for all of us.

Nobody’s place is there for definite. You’ve got to work hard and earn it. Everyone is doing that so far.

To get the captaincy coming into the club last season was a great honour. It’s a role that I have to learn. It was a great experience for me last year and to be able to keep it this season is great for me. I’m looking to build on what I did last year and hopefully get better as a player on the pitch and being captain as well. Pre-season has gone very well. We’re really feeling the benefits from the training. I’m feeling strong.

Martin has been excellent since coming in. I know him a long time now because when I first signed for UCD he was the coach there under Pete Mahon and he was excellent.

He’s a real footballing man, he’s got a great knowledge of the game and I really like the way he sets out about his teams. He really wants you to get it down and play and get on the ball. He lets you play with a lot of confidence and freedom, which I really like, and I’m looking forward to working with him this season. Enjoy the match.

The first game is almost here now. That’s what you want when you’re doing pre-season. All the build-up is for that first game.

You think of that when you’re doing the

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PRO DEAL : MC SWE E NE Y R E A L IS E S CO N T RAC T “ DRE AM ” Limerick forward Seán McSweeney says signing a professional deal is something “you dream of as a young fella”, after the 17-year-old put pen to paper with the club.

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he former Shannonside youngster has caught the eye in the Under-19 team over the past two years and was involved in the first-team squad’s pre-season trip to Spain last February. Last month, he made his competitive debut when coming off the bench in the Munster Senior Cup, and now – alongside teammates Paudie O’Connor and Killian Brouder – he has been rewarded with professional terms. McSweeney admits he was “surprised” to be involved in Martin Russell’s plans this early but he is relishing the opportunity as he looks to “progress” further.

debut in the coming season and is ready to take it all in his stride. “There is a small squad there so you would be hoping to get a few appearances,” he said. “I’ll be happy with that, really, because I’m only 17 and I wouldn’t be expecting too much more. Maybe nine or ten appearances off the bench or something, I’d be happy with that. It would probably be tough going out in front of a big crowd for the first time but I suppose you get used to it after a while. But I’m looking forward to it.

I’ve progressed a lot since I’ve come in so I couldn’t be happier with that. I’m glad to get up to the first team now; I’ll just keep working hard and try to progress again.”

“It’s something that you would always want.

You dream of something like this since you’re a young fella so I was very happy with it,” McSweeney said. “I’ve had a good season with the Under-19s so far but I still wouldn’t have been expecting it. I was even surprised to go up to the first team, but to get the contract is just brilliant. I’m delighted. I love it.

It’s what you want. You want to go up from the Under-19s to the first team as quick as you can. I’m delighted to be up there. Training with better players, you improve a lot quicker.”

Limerick are currently well placed to finish in the top four of the Under-19 Southern Elite Division and McSweeney is understandably pleased with their campaign to date. “We’re doing very well, up from the lower division,” Seán said. “We’ve a load of young players as well so this is a very good season. We’ll keep pushing on and try to catch Waterford.

It’s doable. But we’ll keep working hard and hopefully get into the top four anyway. That would be a good achievement for this season.”

McSweeney is hopeful of earning his league

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LAST T IM E O UT: CO BH ST RI K E L AT E IN FRI E NDLY T HRI L L E R Cobh Ramblers

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Limerick FC

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visitors ended with Turner’s cross from the left finding Darragh Rainsford whose effort was saved by Browne. Before the break, a dangerous ball went across the Limerick box but there was no Cobh player on hand to connect, as the sides went in level.

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ean Clarke and Paul O’Conor scored in either half but Limerick went down to a late goal in a 3-2 defeat by Cobh Ramblers in an entertaining friendly match at Saint Colman’s Park last Friday night.

Russell introduced Paudie O’Connor, Gaşpar and Faherty at half-time, the trio replacing Ross Mann, Feeney and Rainsford. Limerick fell behind again just before the hour mark when another Kenny delivery was this time headed to the net by substitute Stephen McCarthy, who had come on for the injured Kynan Rocks just before the interval. On 63 minutes, O’Donnell was called into action again as he produced a superb save to keep his side within touching distance.

Martin Russell’s starting team included experienced central defender Aidan Price, formerly of Shamrock Rovers, Bohemians and Saint Patrick’s Athletic. He joined up with the squad on the night. On the bench was former Saints and Dundalk striker Vinny Faherty, alongside Romanian attacking midfielder Raul Gaşpar whose last club was Gaz Metan.

With a quarter-of-an-hour remaining, a ball over the top found Duggan who was denied by the ‘keeper who got down well. But from the resulting corner, Limerick were level again as O’Conor drove to the net from outside the box. Cobh, though, restored their lead on 82 minutes. After Kenny’s initial shot produced a fine save from O’Donnell, the ball came back off the crossbar to another substitute Jonathan Creamer who finished to the net to give the home side victory.

Cobh had a good chance in the opening moments but Alan O’Flynn shot over, before Republic of Ireland Under-19 midfielder Val Feeney had an effort cleared off the line. Then Clarke fired narrowly wide. But it wasn’t long before the deadlock was broken by the hosts as Stephen Kenny’s cross was headed to the net by O’Flynn. In a lively start, that lead was wiped out within five minutes as Clarke tapped in at the back post following a Shane Duggan corner.

Limerick: Conor O’Donnell, Seán Harding, Aidan Price, Robbie Williams, Ross Mann (Paudie O’Connor HT), Val Feeney (Raul Gaşpar HT), Shane Duggan ©, Paul O’Conor, Ian Turner (Gavin Dillon 68), Darragh Rainsford (Vinny Faherty HT), Dean Clarke (Kieran Hanlon 72). Goals: D Clarke (15), P O’Conor (76). Unused Subs: Tommy Holland (GK), Shane Costelloe.

On 20 minutes, Limerick went close to taking the lead when an excellent free-kick from Duggan was tipped over the crossbar by ‘keeper David Browne. On the half-hour, it was the turn of Conor O’Donnell to be tested, the former UCD stopper saving from Kenny.

Then Ian Turner saw his free-kick strike the crossbar. On 39 minutes, a good move by the

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PRO DEAL: PAUDIE REMAINS FOCUSSED ON PROGRESSION Limerick defender Paudie O’Connor is aiming to “keep improving” in the coming months, after the 17-year-old signed a professional deal with the club.

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he former Kilcornan, Breska Rovers and Regional United youngster is almost two years into his time with the Superblues and last April he made his competitive first-team debut in the Munster Senior Cup. O’Connor has continued to impress in the current Under-19 season and last month was handed his full senior bow by Martin Russell. Now, he has been rewarded with a pro contract, joining teammates Killian Brouder and Seán McSweeney who have also penned deals.

O’Connor insists he is not fazed by the possibility of tasting league action this year and he says he has enjoyed first-team training.

“You’ll be testing yourself against better players in the League of Ireland so every step-up is an important one so you try to keep improving,” he said. “Training has been great. There are different drills obviously with a different manager and a different way of playing the game. Three at the back this year is looking like what it’s going to be. It’s a new way of playing for us at the back so I’m looking forward to it.”

“I’m delighted. When I got the news I was happy to get a pro contract and just to keep improving is really what I’m aiming for this year,” O’Connor said. “I wasn’t really expecting it. The squad is going to be small enough this year; I was surprised when I got the call off Martin but happy all the same. I didn’t think it would kind of go this fast but the step-ups are coming quickly so you’ve got to keep taking your chances. I want to stay in around the squad and keep learning off the lads, like Robbie Williams and Seán Harding who are up there – they’re good defenders.

It’s a step-up but one I’m looking forward to.

It improves you when you’re up there. It improves your all-round game as well.”

Last weekend, Limerick continued their good recent form in the Under-19 Southern Elite Division, coming from behind to down Athlone Town at the Fairgreen and remain in second. “It was a super result on Saturday and another three points in the bag,” Paudie said. “It wouldn’t really have meant much if we lost to Athlone after getting a good point down in Cork last week. We’ve got an away trip to Bray now on Sunday; another three points there and we should be looking good.

It’s a long trip. They’re always strong at home. They showed that against Waterford; they held them to a draw. It will be a tricky game but hopefully we can pull it out of the bag.”

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Limerick

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MARTIN RUSSELL MANAGER

Cork City

JOHN CAULFIELD MANAGER

Conor O’Donnell (GK) Seán Harding Robbie Williams Retired Paul O’Conor Ian Turner Shane Duggan © Dean Clarke Darragh Rainsford Seán Russell Tony Whitehead Shane Costelloe Val Feeney Ross Mann G avin Dillon Kieran Hanlon Colm Murphy Paudie O’Connor Seán McSweeney Conor Maguire Tommy Holland (GK) Clyde O’Connell

Mark McNulty (GK) John Kavanagh Alan Bennett John Dunleavy © Darren Dennehy Dan Murray Colin Healy Liam Miller G avan Holohan John O’Flynn Kieran Djilali Ross G aynor Danny Morrissey Kevin O’Brien (GK) Michael McSweeney Karl Sheppard Billy Dennehy Mark O’Sullivan Rob Lehane Josh O’Shea G arry Buckley Liam Kearney Alan Smith (GK) Cian Coleman Conor McCarthy Danny O’Connell Craig Donnellan

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