Limerick’s longest serving player, Shane Tracy delivered a crucial cross for Danny Morrissey as Limerick returned to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over struggling Bray Wanderers. Tracy spoke with sseairtricityleague.ie after the game and was deli
Limerick’s longest serving player, Shane Tracy delivered a crucial cross for Danny Morrissey as Limerick returned to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over struggling Bray Wanderers.
Tracy spoke with sseairtricityleague.ie after the game and was delighted to be able to bounce back from their thrashing at Oriel Park.
“It’s the best way to comeback from the defeat in Dundalk, obviously everybody was disappointed with the defeat in Dundalk, but the manner of it makes it that bit worse. But as Tommy (Barrett) said after the game, we showed great character to come out tonight with a dominant performance.”
Tracy, plying his trade at left-back, produced a moment of brilliance in a game that lacked openings and quality for large periods. After taking a wonderful first touch, his left-footed cross found the head of substitute Morrissey who headed home his first goal for the Shannonsiders.
“Kearns had the ball, and cut it back, I just tried to put it into a good area – luckily enough it found Danny’s (Morrissey) head and it’s a great header at the back post. I’m delighted for him; he’s worked hard since he came in.”
Despite conceding eight against Dundalk, Limerick have been somewhat solid in defence, something the Limerick native was quick to point out.
“If you keep clean sheets you have every chance of winning games. We didn’t concede in pre-season and continued that into the season. Bar the Dundalk game we’ve been very good defensively which is important in this league.
"A lot comes down to the first goal, if you don’t make mistakes you are in with a chance. Today we got that one cross, one goal and we’ve come away with three points.”
Opening up a six-point gap to Bray is something Tracy felt wasn’t important, as the Blues are focusing on their own season. “It’s always good to get three points. We’re not looking at other teams. It’s seven points from 12 so far.
"It’s a good start to the season considering in pre-season things were in a bit of limbo. Tommy has come in and steadied the ship; we’ve started the season really well in my opinion. He knows what we he wants to play and gets it across to the players. We’re in a really good position – all we look at is ourselves."
Tracy, who had a testimonial last season, has spent over a decade at the club. His time has been spent in different positions.
Though naturally a midfielder, he has played the bulk of his football at left-back since 2012, something which doesn’t bother the former Arsenal reserve team player. He’s happy to play and combine this with a full-time job.
“I’m working full-time. I was working this morning for eight or nine hours. I’m just happy to be playing. I spent most of last season injured, I came in and Neil (McDonald) had his own way of playing, so I didn’t play.
"But the last seven games I got in and played. To be honest I’d play anywhere, as long as I’m on the pitch. I’m 29, going on 30, so just to be playing and enjoying it is what I’m looking for at the moment.”
Tracy and his teammates travel to Derry City on Monday as the Candystripes make their eagerly anticipated return to the Brandywell, Limerick won 1-0 in their last visit to the venue in 2016, in a League Cup semi-final.
