Limerick put in a solid performance to earn a 1-1 draw with current SSE Airtricity League Premier Division champions Cork City at the Markets Field but Super Blues boss Tommy Barrett felt that his side could have got more from the game. Billy Denneh
Limerick put in a solid performance to earn a 1-1 draw with current SSE Airtricity League Premier Division champions Cork City at the Markets Field but Super Blues boss Tommy Barrett felt that his side could have got more from the game.
Billy Dennehy put the home side in front with a stunning first half strike but his effort was cancelled out by a Kieran Sadlier penalty.
Limerick had the better of the chances in the second half but Barrett’s men had to be content with a point from the game.
“I think we could have won it, probably should have won it,” said Barrett. “There were a few scrambles at the end but on the creation of chances we created the better ones.
“I think we are a good team. With the players we had out injured, it shows that we have a squad that can battle.
“Obviously it’s tough but the boys that came in have done very well and finished the game with two Under 19’s on the pitch which is always a positive.”
The Limerick boss introduced talented youngsters Will Fitzgerald and Karl O’Sullivan in the second half and neither looked out of place at this level.
Barrett, who used be the U-19’s manager, says that Limerick don’t give themselves enough credit for the amount of younger players they use.
“We don’t blow our trumpet, he said. “Other clubs do it and they talk about their Academy but we bring them through.
“There are players in this region. The lads have a lot to learn still, particularly in the defensive side of things. It is easier to bring on the attacking type players and give them game time than it is with the defensive players.
“It’s more difficult to blood those players like Killian Brouder in the league. The lads have done very well. Will (Fitzgerald) and Karl (O’Sullivan) danced through a few of them and Karl probably should have scored. I think he will know that himself. He shot straight down the keeper’s throat.”
Limerick’s small squad will be stretched even further with another game on Monday against Shamrock Rovers but Barrett has already shown in his short tenure that he has no hesitation in giving youth a chance.
