EA Sports Cup Final Preview: Limerick - v - St. Patrick's Athletic

The 2016 EA Sports Cup will reach its climax this Saturday evening as this season’s First Division champions Limerick take on the defending EA Sports Cup holders St. Patrick’s Athletic at Market’s Field. Kick-off is set for 17:30.

LIMERICK

Limerick have had a phenomenal 2016, wrapping up the First Division title with relative ease with several games to spare and now have a chance to make it a marvelous season double.

Martin Russell’s side have been excellent across the board and have only suffered one defeat in all major competitions. Alas, that defeat came at the hands of their very opponents on Saturday evening, St. Patrick’s Athletic, who won their FAI Cup clash 2-0 last month.

The Super Blues have managed to carry their sensational season form throughout this competition having comfortable dispatched Cobh Ramblers 4-2 in their opening game before seeing off Premier Division sides Wexford Youths and Galway United 4-0 and 2-0 respectively to reach the semi-final.

They then produced possibly one of their performances of the year as they overcame Premier Division high-flyers Derry City 1-0 to book their passage to the final.

The Munster men are now looking to secure their fourth ever League Cup and the first since 2002 in front of their own fans when they welcome the Saints to Market’s Field.

Speaking to www.limerickfc.ie, Limerick captain Shane Duggan highlighted his sides’ confidence in their ability to see off Pat’s and claim their second piece of silverware of the season.

“We can’t wait,” said Duggan. “There has been a good buzz around the place for the last week. It has been a good week at training and I’m really looking forward to it.

“Promotion was our aim at the start of the season and to do well in the Cups. We have a Cup final to look forward to now and to have it in the Markets Field is a bonus.

“St. Pat’s are a good team. Obviously, they’re going to be better competition than we’ve been playing this season. We got them already in the FAI Cup so we know what to expect from them. It’s going to be a tough game but we’re looking forward to the challenge

“We are confident. We know what we’re capable of; we have a very good squad and team. We respect St. Pat’s but I think on the day it’s going to be a different game to the FAI Cup. We have home advantage, there’ll be a big crowd there and I don’t think we have anything to fear if we play to our capabilities.”

SAINT PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

The 2015 EA Sports holders are looking to become the first team since Derry City in 2008 to successfully retain the crown.

Having defeated Galway United on penalties in last year’s final, the Saints are now looking to have their name engraved on the trophy for the fourth time in their history.

Liam Buckley’s side received a bye in the First Round before defeating Premier Division champions Dundalk 1-0 after extra-time in Round 2. They then overcame Bray Wanderers by three goals to two before eliminating rivals Shamrock Rovers 3-1 at the semi-final stage at Tallaght Stadium.

Despite having already defeated Limerick this season, Buckley is aware that a new challenge awaits his side at Market’s Field on Saturday.

“We’d a good win against Limerick a few weeks ago, but they showed they are a very good side that night and if things had gone their way, the result could have been different.  We have been working hard all week in preparation for the game and the lads are up for this one,” Buckley told stpatsfc.com.

“Any time there is silverware up for grabs, you want to win. There’s three domestic competitions in Irish football, and we’re 90 minutes away from winning one of them.  We’re defending champions and not many sides can say they’ve won defended their crown so we’re really motivated to win on Saturday.” 

In team news, Buckley remains without the services of Keith Treacy who is recovering from a hamstring injury, while David Cawley remains out with a collarbone injury but has returned to training.  Otherwise the Saints’ manager has a full squad to select from. 

Referee: Robert Rogers.

MATCH STATS

Limerick striker John O’Flynn is the top scorer in this year’s competition so far having hit the back of the net on four occasions.

Both sides have three EA Sports Cup titles to their name, whoever wins on Saturday will move up to third in the all-time winners list, one behind second-placed Dundalk who have won the trophy on five occasions. However, leaders Derry City are well out on their own as ten-time winners.

St. Pat’s have finished as runners-up on two occasions in 1980 and 1993 while Limerick have one silver medal to their name having lost the 1991 final to Derry.

BETTING

Limerick 13/10; Draw 23/10; St. Patrick’s Athletic 19/10.

PREDICTION

Limerick 2-1 St. Patrick’s Athletic

Limerick

Injured: Unknown.

Suspended: None.

St Patrick’s Athletic

Injured: Keith Treacy, David Cawley.

Suspended: None.