Injuries add to Limerick woes

LIMERICK face Cobh Ramblers tonight with a huge question mark over the future of the club.

However, manager Mike Kerley and captain Pat Purcell are refusing to let the off the field happenings distract them from the game at Pike Rovers Sports Grounds (7.30).

The club are looking for a new investor and have admitted they may have to resign from the League if they don’t get a financial boost in the short-term.

To add their woes, Kerley’s squad is ravaged by injuries and suspensions.

John Whyte’s sending off against Bray last Sunday means he is now suspended while Gareth Cooney is ruled out with an ankle injury. Goalkeeper John Healy is also struggling with a shoulder injury but it is hoped he will be fit, though the manager may be forced to select himself with just 12 players available at present.

Despite this, captain Purcell believes that if the club can survive, they have the quality to push for promotion. “It’s a little distracting at the moment but I think we have a good set-up of young players, a young manager, a young assistant manager and young goalkeeping coach who are all ambitious and we can push for promotion this season and certainly guarantee a play-off place,” he said.

Cobh manager Dave Hill sympathises with Limerick on their difficulties, but is determined that his full-strength side will add to their problems by

taking all three points.

“I feel sorry for Mike Kerley and Limerick but we still have a job to do. They took points off us and now we have to take points off them,” he said.

Elsewhere, Bray Wanderers have the chance to go top of the table if they can beat Dundalk at Oriel Park.