O’Connor factor adds extra bit of spice to Limerick game

Limerick man Noel O’Connor will be sitting in the away dug out in Jackman Park when Limerick FC take on Wexford Youths FC on Friday night. O’Connor is Mick Wallace’s right hand man and his presence will surely add an extra bit of spice to an already pulsating encounter. However, O’Connor isn’t the only person going back to his old stomping ground. Striker Gary Sheahan and defender Peter White will be also be hoping to put in positive performances against their old employers. Limerick have recently been jumped in the League by Monaghan United and they now sit eight points behind the Youths. Defeat would be unthinkable for Pat Scully’s men in the battle to break into the top four.

In recent years lady luck hasn’t been kind to Mick Wallace’s men during Limerick fixtures, so the Youths will be hoping not to continue the trend. Limerick beat Wexford 2-0 at Ferrycarrig Park earlier in the season thanks to a Colin Scanlon strike and a dubious late Paul Walsh penalty. Wexford got their revenge in the League Cup when they knocked the Shannonsiders out of the competition on penalties.

Wallace will be able to call upon the services of Conor Sinnott after the Club Captain missed the last few games due to being on holidays. Also midfield dynamo Paul Malone returns after he too was holidays. However, Johnny Flynn O’Connor is suspended after being harshly sent off against Athlone Town last weekend. Packie Holden has failed to recover from his shock knee injury picked up in the same outing and he faces 2-3 weeks on the sidelines, a major blow for the Youths. Pa Doyle will therefore slot into action and the impressive Gavin Doyle will return to his more associated position.

“Noel (O’Connor) going back to his old team does add a bit of spice to the fixture alright. Then add the fact that Gary (Sheahan) and Peter (White) are also going back to their old team and that just adds an extra dimension to the tie” said Wallace.

“Limerick are a bit of a bogey side for us in recent seasons. We have a terrible record against them and obviously we have always found it hard against them. I would much rather be facing one of the top four sides this weekend, that’s how difficult this game will be for us” Wallace stated.

Injured:
Lee Aust
Tim McGrath
Danny Furlong
Paul Murphy
Marty Kelly
Kyle Dempsey
Packie Holden

Suspended:
Johnny Flynn O’Connor

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