FAI Cup Preview: St Patrick's Athletic -v- Limerick

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC

St Patrick’s Athletic will get a taste of what’s to come in this year’s EA Sports Cup final when they welcome First Division champions-elect Limerick to Richmond Park for this FAI Cup Third Round clash (kick-off 7.45pm).

The Saints come into the contest on the back of three excellent results as it seems Liam Buckley’s side are finally beginning to enjoy the sort of consistency which has escaped them for the best part of the season so far.

A ruthless 3-1 defeat of rivals Shamrock Rovers in the semi-final of the EA Sports Cup was followed up with a gritty, yet deserved, 1-0 win over Galway United last Friday.

Then, on Monday night, they became the first team since 2010 to face a Longford Town side not managed by Tony Cousins. They came away from the City Calling Stadium with a 1-0 win thanks to a strike from the returning Mark Timlin.

Speaking to stpatsfc.comahead of Friday's FAI Cup encounter, manager Liam Buckley reflected on his side's two recent league wins before assessing the strengths of opponents Limerick.

"We've picked up a few results lately so the aim is to keep that going between now and the end of the season," Buckley said.

“Friday's game is the first of two big games we have coming up against Limerick and we'll have to do our homework and be at our best against them as Martin [Russell] has them going great this year.

"It's going to be tight on Friday night so the players know they have to be at it from minute one to 90 plus at the end. We've had success in this competition recently so the hunger is there to achieve that again."

In team news, Billy Dennehy returns following suspension while Mark Timlin and Keith Treacy are also in contention for a starting place after returning from injury in Tuesday’s game at Longford.

Sam Verdon is the only absentee as he continues his recovery from concussion.

LIMERICK

Following their relegation in 2015, nobody would have blamed Limerick supporters for feeling deflated as they looked ahead to what could of easily been a tough and tedious year attempting to make an immediate return to the Premier Division.

However, it’s perhaps turned out to be one of the most memorable seasons for the Limerick faithful in recent memory. From day one of the First Division season, Martin Russell’s side have dominated the opposition and are yet to lose a game, having drawn only twice while opening a commanding 21-point lead at the top of the table.

Without the distraction of the league, Russell’s side have been allowed to fully focus on their cup fixtures which has helped them progress to an EA Sports Cup final where they will of course face Pat’s next month at Markets Field.

The Super Blues are also well-used to Premier Division opposition this season as on their way to the League Cup final, they have accounted for Wexford Youths, Galway United and perhaps most-impressively, Europa League-chasing Derry City.

Limerick will be relishing the opportunity to once again test themselves against Premier Division opposition and in the form of St Pat’s not only will they be granted that opportunity but also the chance to get a one-up ahead of their EA Sports Cup decider this September.

Referee: Ben Connolly.

MATCH STATS

St Patrick’s Athletic strolled into this FAI Cup third round clash having defeated non-league Pike Rovers 8-0 in round two.

Limerick also took on non-league opposition in the previous round although they had a little more difficulty, eventually succumbing Leinster Senior League champions Bluebell United to a 5-2 defeat.

The last time Limerick progressed to the quarter-finals of the FAI Cup was 2011 when they were eventually eliminated by Shelbourne who would finish as runners-up to Sligo Rovers that year.

Limerick are two-time FAI Cup winners having won the competition in the 1970/71 season and the 1981/82 season.

St Pat’s are three-time winners having won it in 1959, 1961 and perhaps most famously in 2014 when they defeated Derry City 2-0 for their first cup success in 53 years.

BETTING

St Patrick’s Athletic 6/4; Draw 21/10; Limerick 17/10.

PREDICTION

St Patrick’s Athletic 1-2 Limerick

St Patrick's Athletic

Injured: Sam Verdon.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Limerick

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: None.