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Under-19 Enda McGuill Cup Second Round (Last 16) | Fairgreen, Saturday 13 December 2014, 2pm | Under-19 Programme 2014 Collection Issue 7 1937
E N DA M CG U I L L C U P L A S T 1 6 LI
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MERVUE UTD
Fa i rgre e n , S at u rd ay 1 3 D e ce m b e r 2 0 1 4 , 2 p m
greenhegroupt
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2015 LI
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SEASON TICKETS
THE IDEAL CHRISTMAS GIFT!
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www.limerickfc.ie
MANAGER’S NOTES Good afternoon and welcome back to the Fairgreen for today’s Under-19 Enda McGuill Cup second-round tie against Mervue United. We welcome the Mervue management team, players and all those who have made the trip down from Galway this afternoon where there is a quarter-final place on offer. This is our final outing before the Christmas break and hopefully we can finish off with a positive result and stay involved in this competition. We come into the game on the back of last weekend’s loss to leaders Waterford United, who remain unbeaten. I thought we played okay on the day and probably created as many chances, if not more, as Waterford. But three mistakes cost us. It was a difficult start, conceding the penalty after two minutes. Conor Maguire was shepherding the player out and Val Feeney fouled him; there was probably no need to put in a tackle. Unfortunately then two players collided and let them in for a second goal shortly after. That was a communication issue. That left us with a lot to do but we made a few changes at half-time, we went 3-5-2 and I thought we were well on top. We created a few chances, we got the goal but then we made a silly mistake again and they got a third. Waterford are a good side. They play on the counter, they work hard for each other, they’re a bit more experienced than our lads and they don’t make as many mistakes. I think that’s what the difference was. It wasn’t a great game – there wasn’t much football played but that’s the way some of the games go. We’re a very young side. Waterford have a lot of players born 1996. We have a lot of players born 1998 and we only have a handful of 96s. We’re a good side too and we’ll develop. I think we’ll be there or
thereabouts at the end of the year. For us, we’re looking for a top-four or five finish. It’s our first year up in the Elite Division so it’s about adjusting. We’ll keep doing the best that we can. Today, we play in the Cup for the first time this season having received a bye in the opening round. I’m planning to make a lot of changes and give lads some game-time. We go out to win every game and that mentality won’t change but I have to use the squad. We have to give players a run as much as we can. There is no point signing 22 players unless you want to develop them. Still, we want to do well in this competition and hopefully we can progress to the last eight. Enjoy the game, Tommy Barrett.
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MERVUE UTD
TOMMY BARRETT MANAGER
BRIAN LAFFEY MANAGER
TOMMY HOLLAND (GK) AREK MAMALA (GK) STEPHEN NOLAN PAUDIE O’CONNOR CONOR MAGUIRE KILLIAN BROUDER EOIN WHELAN CLYDE O’CONNELL VAL FEENEY MARK HOBAN SHANE LOWTH ROSS FITZGERALD KILLIAN HAYES ROSS MANN SEÁN MCSWEENEY DECLAN CUSACK JAMES DUGGAN JEFF MCGOWAN OISIN KELLY EVAN CUSACK LIAM MCCARTAN JACK LYNCH
PETER HEALY MAURICE NUGENT GARY BAILEY CHRIS CARROLL NOEL COTTON EOGHAN KELLY ROB SPELMAN MOISE ASSOGBA YOUSSEF MAHDY PETER WALSH ALAN MURPHY AIDAN COYLE BRIAN O’CONNOR RYAN FORDE PAUL HEALY ANDREW CONNOLLY EOIN CURRY DARREN MURRAY
PL
GD
PTS
1
Waterford Utd
11
19
25
2
Cork City
11
9
20
3
Limerick FC
11
4
18
4
Shamrock Rovers
10
4
16
5
UCD
10
1
16
6
Bray Wanderers
10
1
14
7
Cobh Ramblers
11
0
13
8
Athlone Town
11
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13
9
Wexford Youths
11
-7
12
10
Mervue Utd
11
-13
10
11
Salthill Devon
11
-12
7
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LAST TIME OUT: EARLY GOALS KILL OFF HOPES Leaders Waterford maintain unbeaten record Early goals from Mikie Rowe and Eric O’Halloran set leaders Waterford United on their way as they maintained their unbeaten start to the Under-19 Southern Elite Division with a 3-1 win over Limerick at the Fairgreen last Saturday afternoon. The home side got off to the worst possible start when Waterford were awarded a penalty inside two minutes, after captain Val Feeney was adjudged to have committed a foul at the by-line. Rowe stepped up and coolly converted. Rocked by that, Limerick’s task became more uphill before the quarter-hour when Clyde O’Connell and ‘keeper Tommy Holland collided, leaving O’Halloran with the simplest of tasks to fire to an empty net.
fort was tipped onto the bar by Connor. Limerick eventually breached the Waterford defence on 62 minutes when substitute Lowth finished from eight-yards after a scramble in the box. But the visitors quickly restored their two-goal cushion. Ross Fitzpatrick created the opening for Duffy who saw his low shot pushed away by Holland but it fell into the path of Daryl Power who rolled the ball to another empty net. Limerick never gave up and midway through the half Mann fired past the ‘keeper but Waterford managed to clear the goalbound effort behind, before Lowth fired over at the back post following another Feeney corner.
Tommy Barrett’s side looked for a way back in the game and they created their first real chance on 20 minutes when Ross Mann’s cross from the right was onto the head of O’Connell at the back post but he lacked the power to trouble Irish Under-18 International Matthew Connor. Past the half-hour, Feeney let fly with an effort from distance that flashed just wide. And then James Duggan saw his 25-yard strike deflected just over the bar, before Killian Brouder headed over Feeney’s corner.
Substitute McCartan’s shot was blocked wide on 75 minutes after build-up play between Mann and Killian Hayes. And it was Hayes who created Limerick’s last chance five minutes from time, his clever flick finding McCartan but he drove over from close in. Limerick’s misery was compounded deep in injury-time when O’Connor was shown a straight red card having been adjudged to have committed a foul as last man, meaning he will miss the side’s first league game after the Christmas break, away to UCD in mid-January.
Barrett introduced Paudie O’Connor, Liam McCartan and Shane Lowth at the break and Limerick continued on the front foot. Still, Waterford posed a threat, and on 51 minutes Rowe connected with Seán Duffy’s cross but it went over. Then Feeney’s corner found the head of centre-half Conor Maguire whose ef-
Limerick: Tommy Holland, Stephen Nolan (Paudie O’Connor HT), Conor Maguire, Killian Brouder, Eoin Whelan (Liam McCartan HT), Ross Mann, Mark Hoban (Ross Fitzgerald 80), Val Feeney, Declan Cusack (Killian Hayes 55), Clyde O’Connell, James Duggan (Shane Lowth HT). Unused Subs: Arek Mamala (GK), Evan Cusack.
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CHAIRMAN’S NOTES Good afternoon and welcome to today’s Enda McGuill Under-19 Cup second round match. I wish to welcome Mervue United, their staff and players to Limerick for today’s fixture and wish them every success in the season ahead. As always, I wish to thank Fairview Rangers AFC and all their staff for their kind welcome and superb playing facilities. Last Saturday, the lads suffered a 3-1 reverse to league leaders Waterford United but on another day could have taken something out of the game. This cup tie gives them a chance to bounce back from the defeat and I’m hopeful that we’ll see a repeat of the positive reaction that the lads have shown after previous setbacks. As this is our last game before the Christmas break, I wish to express my gratitude to all the players, parents and spectators who are part of our Under-19 family. I want to also thank Tommy, Conor, Derek, Joe and Kevin who put untold amount of time and effort into preparing the squad for matchday.
On the senior front, we are delighted that Paul O’Conor joined us this week. Paul previously starred with Sligo, Drogheda and UCD and having previously played under Martin Russell, we are getting a player whose work ethic will endear himself to the fans. I’m also delighted to report a big uptake in Season Tickets for the Markets Field next season. What is even more encouraging are the new names who have purchased their Season Tickets. This gives me great heart that interest levels for our return ‘home’ will be as high as we hope for. Just a gentle reminder that we do have a limit on the number of Season Tickets available so be sure to get yours soon so as not to be disappointed. Finally, as 2014 draws to a close, I want to wish everyone and their families a wonderful Christmas and a prosperous New Year. The Blue Moon is Rising and with your continued support 2015 will be a memorable year for your club. Thanks again for your support and enjoy the game. Pat O’Sullivan.
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ACADEMY ROUND UP: GREHAN’S BOYS CONTINUE FORM Under-16s come from behind to secure 11th straight win
Brandon Murphy and Carlos Bestard both hit hat-tricks as Limerick continued their 100 percent records at Under-16 level, but last weekend saw one winning streak come to an end for the club. That loss came in the opening Academy match where Barry Lynch’s young Blues welcomed Aisling Annacotty to Hogan Park in the Under-12 Premier League. With six wins in all competitions, Limerick got off to the perfect start through Daniel Quaid’s eighth-minute opener. However, Aisling quickly got back on terms, and it remained that way until the break. The visitors then took control with an early second-half freekick and they went on to net two late goals to seal a 4-2 win, Jeffrey Dore grabbing a consolation deep in injury-time. In the next game at the venue, the two clubs met again, in the Under-14 Division One as Peter Clarke’s boys entertained Aisling C. Chasing a fifth straight success at this level, Limerick were ahead inside the first twenty seconds as Andrei Haxhiaj netted. Filip Mostowy then converted a penalty, Ben O’Shaughnessy-Tobin notched his 23rd goal of the season between this and Under-13 Premier level and PJ Molloy also continued his fine scoring form. There were further goals for Dore – who lined out in the previous match – Haxhiaj and Mostowy before the break, leaving Limerick 7-0 ahead. Second-half goals from Cian McNamara and Molloy completed a second
successive 9-0 win. In the Under-16 Premier League, Limerick – with ten straight victories in all competitions behind them – welcomed Geraldines for the third match of the day at Hogan Park. And it was the fourth-placed side who took a surprise lead early on. The young Superblues, though, quickly recovered and were ahead by the break through goals from Murphy – scoring for the fifth game running – and Dave Sweeney. The introduction of top scorer Ger Barry in the second half laid the platform for Limerick to push clear, the striker twice setting up Murphy to complete his hat-trick, which saw him enter double figures in the charts. In the Under-16 Division One, Ger Costelloe’s side were also looking to protect their 100 percent league record when they travelled to Kilonan to face Aisling. They were soon into their stride through goals from Scott Greaney and Danny Griffin. Substitute Bestard then found a hat-trick while Ethan Butler continued his good recent form with a brace as Limerick made it 11 wins on the trot between this and Under-15 Premier level. In the one outstanding match, in the Under-14 Premier League, Limerick were unfortunately unable to field a team against Geraldines at Bawnmore, meaning a walkover for the home side. The Limerick District Schoolboy League will break for the Christmas period following this weekend’s action, with fixtures resuming on Saturday 3 January.
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