U19 Programme: Limerick v Mervue United, 12 February 2014

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Irish call-ups.

Trio look forward to International outing

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imerick FC trio Paudie O’Connor, Shane Walsh and Ross Mann have expressed their delight at receiving a call-up to Paul Doolin’s Republic of Ireland Under-18 squad for this weekend’s friendlies against Wales.

phase which gets underway tonight. And speaking to LimerickFC.ie, centre-half Paudie, midfielder Shane and winger Ross were thrilled that their efforts have been rewarded with call-ups to the International setup.

The young Superblues will face the Welsh in Waterford on Sunday 16 and Monday 17 February, with the games to take place at Ozier Park (2pm) and Tramore AFC (7pm) respectively. The three players have been key figures in Limerick’s Under-19 Southern Division campaign where they have qualified for the promotion playoff

“I was absolutely delighted when I heard the news,” O’Connor said. “I hadn’t really been thinking of International squads in my head. I was just trying to concentrate on my football with Limerick so I was chuffed when I got the call. I can’t wait for it. ‘Buzzing’ as Walla (Shane Walsh) would put it! It’s always nice when you

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“

I’ve been trying years for this opportunity and I can’t wait for it – it’s the biggest moment of my life so far.

Under-18s will be a step-up in quality. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to mix it with the best.”

”

get recognition from national squads and I’m really looking forward to mix and play with lads from other counties and gain more experience.”

O’Connor, still only 16, has been impressive in defence for Limerick during their Under-19 campaign and he remains confident they can achieve their aim of sealing a place in the Elite Division. “Personally, I feel the season has gone well for me,” he said of his own performances.

“I have been involved in nearly every game and know that I’m lucky to get the chance off Dec (Farmer) and Tommy (Barrett), being one of the younger lads in the squad. Playing week-in, week-out against good opposition is a step-up from what I was used to last season and I feel I’ve dealt with that okay.

“I’m very confident that as a team we can achieve promotion through the playoffs. We have shown throughout the league that we can score goals and I think if we improve and tidy up on our away performances then we should be in good shape at the end of the playoffs.” O’Connor has previously been involved in training camps and trial matches with the Irish Under-16s. “I have an idea how the international scene works,” he said, “but obviously jumping an age to the

Walsh added: “I’m very happy to get the call-up.

I’ve been trying years for this opportunity and I can’t wait for it – it’s the biggest moment of my life so far. I didn’t see it coming, to be fair. Hopefully, I can play well and we can win both games.

I think the Under-19 season has gone okay.

We’re in the playoffs so we’re still in a good position to get promoted. I’m very confident that we can achieve that in the playoffs. As a group, we are very confident going into those games.”

Mann, who has contributed four league goals this term, said: “I feel very excited about the whole thing. It means a lot to me and I’m grateful for the opportunity. I’m a little bit nervous about it but I’m really looking forward to getting on the pitch. It was a really nice surprise for me because it’s always a great honour to be chosen to represent your country.”

Asked what he was looking to gain from the weekend, Ross added: “Mainly the experience, really, but I can’t wait to have a go at playing at such a high level.” Mann – who recalled a “great experience” after being selected for the Irish Under-18 squad to face Ipswich in England last August – admitted he was disappointed not to win the Under-19 Southern Division with Limerick. But the youngster is looking towards the playoff series with hopes of promotion still high.

“Personally, I wasn’t happy that we didn’t win the league,” he said, “but being in the playoffs is a great achievement and I’m delighted that we managed to get this far. Hopefully, we can push on and get into the Elite Division. I’m quite confident we can do it because we’ve put in a lot of effort this season and hopefully it will all pay off for us.”

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MERVUE UTD

MANAGER TOMMY BARRETT

MANAGER JUSTIN NEARY

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

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

Nathan MURRAY Colm MURPHY Tony WHITEHEAD Paudie O'CONNOR Mark HOBAN Shane WALSH Kieran HANLON Seán MCSWEENEY Cian O'DONOGHUE James MCGRATH AJ O'CONNOR Matt KEANE Conor MAGUIRE Ross FITZGERALD Mikey GREED Evan CUSACK Val FEENEY Shane COSTELLOE Ross MANN Michael GUERIN Jack LYNCH Paul O’LEARY

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TEAM

PL

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PTS

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Derry City Dundalk Limerick FC Mervue Utd

1 1 0 0

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Peter HEALY Eric NEARY Robert CARROLL Paul HEALY Moise ASSOGBA Aaron FRIEL Stephen KILLEEN Richard FAHY Padraic CUNNINGHAM Dean TIERNEY Luke TULLY Gary BAILEY Cian DE LAMPORT Andrew CONNOLLY Michael JAMES John-Miguel SOLIER James HEALY Mattie FLYNN Dillon MURPHY Cian MCDONNELL Michael JAMES Colin BRADY Maccon BYRNE

FORM

Limerick FC Mervue Utd

WWWWD WWLWW

NEXT FIXTURE

To be confirmed, please check www.limerickfc.ie for details later in the week.

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LIMERICK FOOTBALL CLUB

MERVUE UTD

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U19 Report.

Limerick suffer title heartache in Wexford.

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onan Coughlan and Limerick were cruelly denied a last-gasp league clincher by the linesman’s flag as Wexford Youths held onto a 2-2 draw at Ferrycarrig Park on Sunday 26 January, meaning Mervue United were crowned Southern Division champions on the final day.

Limerick dominated much of the first half and had some early chances before falling behind against the run of play on 27 minutes as Daryl Power’s curling shot from inside the box found the net. But soon after half-time – where Colm Murphy was introduced – Limerick were level, with the left-back finding Kieran Hanlon who coolly finished to the bottom corner. They turned the game around on 63 minutes when Coughlan raced onto a through-ball and slotted under the ‘keeper.

Limerick had a number of chances to put the game beyond doubt but failed to do so. And with nine minutes remaining, Wexford grabbed a leveller when Ryan Delaney converted from close in. The Wexford ‘keeper then somehow denied Hanlon from point-black range and James McGrath saw his shot saved, before Coughlan found the net at the death following a Seán McSweeney corner only to see it ruled out by the officials.

Inside four minutes, Limerick could have taken the lead as Hanlon controlled well before playing Coughlan in but, under pressure, his effort was easily saved. On 12 minutes, Hanlon showed a good touch once again and turned sharply before firing a low shot that the home ‘keeper got down well to push away. Limerick were beginning to dominate but they were hit with a

sucker-punch on 27 minutes when Power picked up possession on the right of the box and curled a shot to the far corner, giving Murray no chance. Murphy was an influential figure in the second half after coming on at the break. Ten minutes later, Hanlon whistled a shot just off target when well placed, before Cian O’Donoghue flashed an effort narrowly wide of the top corner.

Wexford could have made it 2-0 before half-time but they fired wide of the upright when well placed close to goal. And they were made to pay for that three minutes into the second half when substitute Murphy fed Hanlon who glided past a defender before firing to the bottom corner from the edge of the box. It was all Limerick, with Murphy being particularly influential, and they hit the front just past the hour mark as Coughlan remained calm to shoot under the ‘keeper after finding himself one-on-one.

On 81 minutes, Wexford stunned their opponents when a free-kick dropped in the box for Delaney and he made no mistake as he blasted to the net. Then came a Limerick onslaught.

Only a superb stop denied Hanlon on 85 minutes, Coughlan ballooning the rebound, while the ‘keeper again got down well to stop McGrath’s effort seconds later. Wexford also threatened and saw a free-kick from the edge of the area whistle just past the upright, before controversy came deep in injury-time as McSweeney’s corner fell to Coughlan who finished to the net.

But as Limerick celebrated wildly, the linesman’s flag went up to cruelly deny them the Southern Division title.

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Jack Lynch signing for the Under-19s last Friday

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