Limerick FC bounced back from what has been an extremely difficult week off the field to earn an impressive 3-1 victory over promotion hopefuls Longford Town FC at the Markets Field. Goals from Tomas O’Connor, Kieran Hanlon and Lee Devitt keep the S
Limerick FC bounced back from what has been an extremely difficult week off the field to earn an impressive 3-1 victory over promotion hopefuls Longford Town FC at the Markets Field. Goals from Tomas O’Connor, Kieran Hanlon and Lee Devitt keep the Super Blues in the promotion hunt, but deeper issues continue to plague the club. Will Fitzgerald, Killian Brouder and Colm Walsh-O’Loghlen all left Limerick for pastures new this week and manager Tommy Barrett could only name four outfield players on the bench for the game. However, the current players produced a stunning display to earn the win and the performance was not a shock to their goalkeeper Jack Brady. “We had a couple of games against Longford already this year and I think we could have got results in those games, so I don’t think it was that surprising to be honest. “Tommy alluded to it in the dressing room before the game that we could have won those games and it wasn’t a surprise to us. I’m just glad that we put in that performance and won the game.” “I think the group that we have is absolutely unbelievable. You couldn’t question for one minute the commitment of the lads. “Obviously, we have lost a couple of big names and players that have been very important for us, but the core group has remained. “I don’t think we can begrudge players for leaving because players have gotten better offers and it’s very hard to turn them down given the situation that the club finds itself in now.” Limerick have been beset with off the field problems since last season, with wages and medical bills going unpaid. Brady admits that it hasn’t been easy at times, but the more experienced players at the club are helping to deal with the current situation. “Of course it’s difficult with what’s going on. It makes it difficult for the players, especially the younger ones, but that’s where the likes of Shane Tracy, Shaun Kelly, Robbie Williams and Jason Hughes are massive to the club at the moment. “What they bring to the squad is a bit of calmness amidst what is chaos at times. Players have a point to prove as well. Tomas O’Connor was outstanding tonight. Can he step into Killian Brouder’s boots and replace him. “The motivation comes from wanting to perform at the optimum level despite all that is going on behind the scenes.” Limerick lost their first home game of the season to Shelbourne last week, but Brady insists that the result didn’t waver the squad’s belief that a promotion push is a very real prospect. “We played extremely well last week. It was just one of those moments and we deserved more than we got, with the missed penalty and a couple of other missed chances. It was a great bounce back tonight. The general attitude, despite the situation we are in, has been superb. “The games over the next couple of weeks will decide who is in the playoff hunt and we knew that we didn’t have time to sulk over the loss to Shels. We came out against Longford and showed the belief and mettle that we have in the squad.”
