Limerick FC 2016 Season

osarusan

Stealing jofspring's thunder and starting a new thread.

The dust hasn't fully settled on the old one yet, but we know that Limerick will be in the first division for the 2016 after our relegation from the premier this year.

Assuming that all teams want to stay and meet licensing, the list of teams in the First Division will be:

• Athlone Town
• Cabinteely FC
• Cobh Ramblers
• Drogheda United
• Limerick FC
• Shelbourne
• UCD
• Waterford United

As there are only 8 teams, each team plays its 7 opponents 4 times, twice home and twice away.


We also know that Martin Russell has been confirmed as staying on for the next season.

We will likely lose players and hopefully bring in players before the start of the season in March. We can keep people updated on this thread.

You can follow the club and developments through their website, and also through the facebook page, and on twitter.

Clareman

That's not really fair now, Joyspring called the fact that he wanted to start the new thread and he has started the last few so I think it's only fair that they are given the opportunity to start it, if they don't want to then they can PM me and I'll reopen this 1.

I used to mod the Rugby and GAA forums as well and posters used to "call" starting certain threads so I'm just following that thought process by the way, the season isn't a week over yet so I don't think there's a major panic.

Clareman

Joyspring is ok with this so so am I.

osarusan

Clareman wrote: »

Joyspring is ok with this so so am I.

Apologies to Jofspring if I stepped on his or anybody's toes, just wanted to turn over a new leaf and stop visiting that old thread!

Anyhow, to carry something over from that old thread to this new thread, Limerick have made two very positive announcements tonight about next season: both Freddy Hall and Shane Tracy have signed up.

Jofspring

�� nice one Clareman.

Some good news tonight anyway with the re-signings of Freddy Hall and Shane Tracey on two year deals. More business being done early by Limerick also which is great to see.

2016 Squad:

Freddy Hall
Shaun Kelly
Shane Tracey
Paudie O'Connor
Killian Brouder
Sean McSweeney
Robbie Williams

osarusan

Jofspring wrote: »

More business being done early by Limerick also which is great to see.

After the shambles of last season's pre-season, this is great to see, lets hope it continues.

osarusan

Robbie Williams signs a one-year contract with Limerick.

osarusan

Also, Willie John Boland has signed a 3-year contract to be in charge of the underage set-up.

osarusan

Paul O'Conor has re-signed with the club.

I'm happy with that news.

Jofspring

Limerick FC Squad as it stands. Looking good at the moment with the club still talking to a few more of last seasons squad and trying to bring players in.

Freddy Hall
Shaun Kelly
Shane Tracey
Paudie O'Connor
Killian Brouder (19's but a big prospect)
Sean McSweeney(same as Killian)
Robbie Williams
Paul O'Connor
Shane Duggan

osarusan

Jofspring wrote: »

Limerick FC Squad as it stands. Looking good at the moment with the club still talking to a few more of last seasons squad and trying to bring players in.

Freddy Hall
Shaun Kelly
Shane Tracey
Paudie O'Connor
Killian Brouder (19's but a big prospect)
Sean McSweeney(same as Killian)
Paul O'Connor
Shane Duggan

Posted this in the old thread by mistake, but Duggan staying with us is great news.

A_Sober_Paddy

Jofspring wrote: »

Limerick FC Squad as it stands. Looking good at the moment with the club still talking to a few more of last seasons squad and trying to bring players in.

Freddy Hall
Shaun Kelly
Shane Tracey
Paudie O'Connor
Robbie Williams
Killian Brouder (19's but a big prospect)
Sean McSweeney(same as Killian)
Paul O'Connor
Shane Duggan

Forgot robbie

johnnyryan89

Great bit of business done by Limerick this early on, won't be long until news about Lee J is announced I'd say.

Hopefully there is some news regrading the transfer speculation also.

Jofspring

Season tickets also gone on sale today.

A_Sober_Paddy

Jofspring wrote: »

Season tickets also gone on sale today.

How much are they this year?

Jofspring

A_Sober_Paddy wrote: »

How much are they this year?

http://www.limerickfc.ie/2016-promotion-push-season-tickets-now-on-sale

Full list there. Some good value on the family tickets.

overshoot

Jofspring wrote: »

http://www.limerickfc.ie/2016-promotion-push-season-tickets-now-on-sale

Full list there. Some good value on the family tickets.

as someone who had been all too used to D1, those are probably going to be the dearest ST in the division.
Actually was looking for last years D1 figures but stumbled into your own, considering you will have 2/3 less home games, its not great that the terrace tickets have remained the same. Third level prices have actually gone up!

For the record seeing the existence of corporate tickets makes me feel bad about my own club! With the squad ye have so far its a good start towards bouncing straight back tho.

johnnyryan89

Still 15e and 12e for tickets? Thought prices were cheaper for first division clubs, was only a tenner up at Finn Harps

overshoot

johnnyryan89 wrote: »

Still 15e and 12e for tickets? Thought prices were cheaper for first division clubs, was only a tenner up at Finn Harps

Shels keep it at 15 for adults also (no terrace), Harps would have charged 12 to the stand, 10 terrace - I think most D1 clubs were just 10e general admission for adults

In fairness Shels are tried and tested, they know the crowd wont increase enough to offset the 5e less per person

johnnyryan89

overshoot wrote: »

Shels keep it at 15 for adults also (no terrace), Harps would have charged 12 to the stand, 10 terrace - I think most D1 clubs were just 10e general admission for adults

In fairness Shels are tried and tested, they know the crowd wont increase enough to offset the 5e less per person

Ah right, hopefully the crowds keep coming to the markets field. The club has massive potential but needs the fans to be coming out in force week in week out

Jofspring

As was said to me tonight, the club have kept the price it was in the premier but they are also signing a premier quality players. The club also consulted with a good few regulars on their opinions before deciding the price .

The price is fair enough when you consider Jackman was €10 and €12. The Markets Field will be €12 and €15. You will have a better facility and a better team than a lot of what we had over the years in division 1.

johnnyryan89

Jofspring wrote: »

As was said to me tonight, the club have kept the price it was in the premier but they are also signing a premier quality players. The club also consulted with a good few regulars on their opinions before deciding the price .

The price is fair enough when you consider Jackman was €10 and €12. The Markets Field will be €12 and €15. You will have a better facility and a better team than a lot of what we had over the years in division 1.

Makes sense, hopefully a lot of people who showed up for the Harps game at home see it that way. Atmosphere that night was electric, if half of that crowd showed up we'll be doing very good.

Jofspring

johnnyryan89 wrote: »

Makes sense, hopefully a lot of people who showed up for the Harps game at home see it that way. Atmosphere that night was electric, if half of that crowd showed up we'll be doing very good.

Ya agree Johnny. If we could get 1,000 average it would even be brilliant. Most likely double the next nearest attendance in the division. Club need to be realistic though and say approx 700 in the gate to be on the safe side.

johnnyryan89

Jofspring wrote: »

Ya agree Johnny. If we could get 1,000 average it would even be brilliant. Most likely double the next nearest attendance in the division. Club need to be realistic though and say approx 700 in the gate to be on the safe side.

Yeah I know what you mean, I'd say you'd have the solid core of 700 to 800 who'll be there because they want to see there team play and the rest will come depending on results and style of play

You probably seen it yourself in that you win one week and you'll get about 200 fans extra to show up at the next game and lose that game and you'll be down 300 the week after.

Jofspring

Limerick FC In:

Chris Mulhall (UCD

Formerly of Shels and Shamrock Rovers also.

johnnyryan89

Is he any good? Never heard of him.

A_Sober_Paddy

johnnyryan89 wrote: »

Is he any good? Never heard of him.

His decent, will be a good first division player

johnnyryan89

Well as I said I've not really heard of him but if he's just a stop gap until the club gets promoted again then surely this would have been a good chance to give some youth players a chance.

Jofspring

johnnyryan89 wrote: »

Well as I said I've not really heard of him but if he's just a stop gap until the club gets promoted again then surely this would have been a good chance to give some youth players a chance.

Nah wouldn't consider him a stop gap. He has been playing LOI for years and is only 27. Experience will be key at getting back up. Won the first division under Martin Russell and was on the verge again last season with UCD. Pretty sure he was a part of the last Shels team that got promoted also.

We have 10 signed at the moment so plenty of space there for some of the younger lads.

johnnyryan89

Jofspring wrote: »

Nah wouldn't consider him a stop gap. He has been playing LOI for years and is only 27. Experience will be key at getting back up. Won the first division under Martin Russell and was on the verge again last season with UCD. Pretty sure he was a part of the last Shels team that got promoted also.

We have 10 signed at the moment so plenty of space there for some of the younger lads.

But it ain't like Limerick were really short on experience though. You've got the likes of Duggie, Paul O'Conner and hopefully Lee J (only putting his name up because I honestly believe he'll re-sign, talk is he was waiting to see what happened with Duggie). Those three have bags of experience as premier division players, Duggie and Lynch have the experience of being over in England too.

Move to the back five and you've got Freddie and Robbie who have bags of experience playing in multiple countries and Freddie being a full international. Shane and Shaun know the club well and played on the team which got promoted the last time.

What's your honest opinion on Martin Russell and do you think he should have been kept on as manager?

Jofspring

johnnyryan89 wrote: »

But it ain't like Limerick were really short on experience though. You've got the likes of Duggie, Paul O'Conner and hopefully Lee J (only putting his name up because I honestly believe he'll re-sign, talk is he was waiting to see what happened with Duggie). Those three have bags of experience as premier division players, Duggie and Lynch have the experience of being over in England too.

Move to the back five and you've got Freddie and Robbie who have bags of experience playing in multiple countries and Freddie being a full international. Shane and Shaun know the club well and played on the team which got promoted the last time.

What's your honest opinion on Martin Russell and do you think he should have been kept on as manager?

Key to getting out of the first division has always been bags of experience. You need it on the pitch but also on the bench for when things aren't going your way.

Ya I think he probably should as the players seem to like him and maybe it was key to holding onto players also.

So far we have only lost one from last season, Ian Turner to Cork.

Russell needs to adapt his game plans better though, it's probably my only criticism of him.

Jofspring

Vinny Faherty signed for Galway United tonight.

johnnyryan89

Jofspring wrote: »

Key to getting out of the first division has always been bags of experience. You need it on the pitch but also on the bench for when things aren't going your way.

Ya I think he probably should as the players seem to like him and maybe it was key to holding onto players also.

So far we have only lost one from last season, Ian Turner to Cork.

Russell needs to adapt his game plans better though, it's probably my only criticism of him.

It may be key but Russell has been shocking when it comes to making substitutes last season so even having that strong bench he'd probably mess it up.

Yeah I'd say the reason why some of the players signed back up was because Russell was kept on as manager and Pat O'Sullivan probably wanted a settled squad and management before the Christmas and ready for a strong pre season.

My one criticism of Russell is he has no plan B. Persists on playing passing football even when it's not working and you could see that against Finn Harps in the first leg of the play off. Also think he needs an experienced assistant manager beside him to help him out at times, nothing against Tommy Barrett but he is young and has only being managing the 19s for a year and a half.

johnnyryan89

Speaking of Tommy and the 19s, they beat St Pats who were unbeaten this season in the national league semi final tonight and the final is on up in the Markets Field next weekend I think.

osarusan

Lee Lynch signs again for Limerick.

That is massive massive news, in my opinion. He'll destroy midfields in the first division.

johnnyryan89

osarusan wrote: »

Lee Lynch signs again for Limerick.

That is massive massive news, in my opinion. He'll destroy midfields in the first division.

A midfield three of Paul, Shane and LJ, Limerick will piss the league.

Hopefully be a few more signings just before the Christmas involving the three lads from Galway

johnnyryan89

Cork City FC will play Limerick FC in the national league u19s final after beating UCD on penalties.

Final is on in the Markets Field this Sunday at 5.30pm, admission is 5e for an adult and under 16s go free.

At least there is some positivity and the chance of silverware come the end of 2015.

A_Sober_Paddy

johnnyryan89 wrote: »

A midfield three of Paul, Shane and LJ, Limerick will piss the league.

Hopefully be a few more signings just before the Christmas involving the three lads from Galway

Is that shannahan, O'Leary amd who else

Jofspring

A_Sober_Paddy wrote: »

Is that shannahan, O'Leary amd who else

Oji. Heard all of them are interested in coming to us next season. Oji apparently has expressed an interest in coming back and from what I heard he is living in or near Shannon and his misses is working from Shannon airport as an air hostess.

O'Learys parents are still regulars at Limerick games even since he left us so they still have a love for the club. Hopefully we can get him in.

Shanahan is a Limerick lad so would be great to get him also, the more Limerick lads with LOI experience the better.

A_Sober_Paddy

Jofspring wrote: »

Oji. Heard all of them are interested in coming to us next season. Oji apparently has expressed an interest in coming back and from what I heard he is living in or near Shannon and his misses is working from Shannon airport as an air hostess.

O'Learys parents are still regulars at Limerick games even since he left us so they still have a love for the club. Hopefully we can get him in.

Shanahan is a Limerick lad so would be great to get him also, the more Limerick lads with LOI experience the better.

Oji would be a massive signing

johnnyryan89

Oji would be a massive signing because I'd say this could be Robbies last season with Limerick.

Heard the only thing stopping O'Leary signing back for Limerick is if Russell wants him or not.

Gary Shanahan would be a great signing,goal scoring winger with Galway when in the first division and is still young with years of developing ahead of him. His signing would also attract more fans from that side of the county also.

johnnyryan89

Limerick 19s lost to Cork City 19s 2-1 tonight in the markets field. Has been a good two seasons for the 19s with making the semi finals last year to finalists this and hopefully next year they can go one better and win it.

Attendance for the final was 695 which isn't too bad considering the senior team were only drawing them numbers at the start of the year.

Jofspring

Dean Clarke has signed for Shamrock Rovers and Gary Shanahan has re-signed with Galway United.

johnnyryan89

Was sticking out that Dean Clarke wasn't gonna re-sign with the club, sickened Gary Shanahan has re-signed with Galway.

osarusan

Jofspring wrote: »

Dean Clarke has signed for Shamrock Rovers

Not a surprise really, but I'm gutted.

Jofspring

He'd pre-agreed to sign with Rovers before going travelling. The club tried to turn his head back towards us then. He said he would give it some serious thought and let us know when he got back but he would hate to break his word with Rovers also. It was always coming but there was still a glimmer of hope.

Was probably a bit optimistic to think we might keep him as well. I reckon if he adds better finishing to his game he will be one of the top players in the league.

johnnyryan89

Don't think it was mentioned but Limerick will begin the defence of their Munster Senior cup at home to Cobh Wanderers in the quarter finals to be played late January and could face either Cobh Ramblers or College Corinthians away from home in the semi's.

johnnyryan89

Limerick have signed experienced striker John O'Flynn from Cork City

Jofspring

Excellent signing. Cork had him out wide which doesn't really suit him. I reckon we will have him up top. With good service he should be lethal in the first division.

A_Sober_Paddy

Jofspring wrote: »

Excellent signing. Cork had him out wide which doesn't really suit him. I reckon we will have him up top. With good service he should be lethal in the first division.

Formerly of Barnet, John o'flynn?

Corholio

Great signing for ye definitely. He's lost a fair bit of his pace but yes right wing certainly didn't suit him and I would have liked to have seen him play up front where he's best. Should tear up the first division really.