General
- Friday June 7th, 2013 @ 14:21
Team News: Pats-Limerick
St Pat's welcome Limerick FC this Saturday to Richmond Park for their first league visit in almost 20 years as the Inchicore side look to maintain their recent good run of form, kick-off 5pm.
In what is the Saints' final home league game before the mid-season break this month, Liam Buckley's side will be looking to sign off with a win and maintain their advantage over Sligo Rovers at the top of the table.
Limerick will be hoping that Saturday's game will prove to be a greater success than their last league visit to Inchicore, the Saints running out 1-0 winners in Richmond Park in January 1994.
Following a hard fought 1-0 victory over Stuart Taylor's side back in March, courtesy of a 20th minute Killian Brennan penalty, Saints' manager Liam Buckley believes that his side will have to work hard to get a result against the Blues on Saturday.
“Stuart has a really good squad of players who have got some really good results to date, and they're looking to climb the table. We'd a really tough game in Thomond Park earlier in the season and to be honest, I'm expecting the same this weekend,” Buckley told stpatsfc.com.
“They really pressed us and played good football that night. It was our hard work and good spirit that night that got us the win so we'll have to repeat on Saturday. They'll be a challenge for us, but it's one we are really looking forward to.”
Buckley confirmed that John Russell is a major doubt with an ankle injury and his fitness will be assessed before the game. However the Saints manager hopes to have Shane McFaul back in contention after missing out the past week through injury.
For Saints' skipper Conor Kenna, while Limerick will prove to be tough opponents, the aim for the squad is the same as always in getting a result and continuing the side's good run of results. “Limerick have some really good backing behind them at the moment and having brought in some good players from Scotland and England, so we know they're a decent side,” the defender told stpatsfc.com.
“Brendan Clarke had to make some great saves down there the last time we played so we know they'll be tough. But at the same time we know we're capable of getting a result against anyone when we perform, so we'll concentrate on ourselves and look to continue what we've been doing.”
