Top spot beckons as Scully’s Limerick look to overcome Blues

European competition and live television requirements mean that, with the top-flight restricted to just two fixtures this evening, the Airtricity League game of the day is in the First Division, where third hosts second as Waterford United face Limerick at the RSC (7.45pm).

The visitors are coming off the back of a 3-0 win over Finn Harps, which has left them just a point behind leaders Longford Town.

“It was another good win last Friday night but travelling to Waterford we need to be on top of our game against a team that has got two results off us already this season,” said manager Pat Scully. “We need to turn that form around and put in a performance that will get us the right result.”

But Waterford also have good reason to feel confident. Although four points behind Limerick, the Blues go into this evening’s game on the back of an impressive run of eight wins in nine games in all competitions. They have also just announced the loan signing of Stephen Mulcahy from Cork City until the end of the season and, pending registration, he is expected to go straight into the squad for the visit of the Shannonsiders.

However, manager Paul O’Brien is still facing something of a selection crisis for this one, with defender Seamus Long suspended and forwards Daragh Walshe and Willie John Kiely and midfielders Gary Dunphy, Ben Ryan and Aidan McGrath all ruled out through injury.

Talismanic midfielder Gary Dempsey is also only rated as 50/50 with a toe injury.

Nonetheless, O’Brien was very encouraged by the performance of a youthful side in getting a win away to Wexford Youths last time out.

“I was delighted with the display of Conor Coad when he replaced Gary [Dempsey],” said the boss.

“He is very mobile and he did not look out of place in any way. Aidan McGrath did well also and I think it’s great to see these young lads coming through. We are on a good run right now and you can see the confidence growing in the dressing room from week to week.”

The Premier Division has an exceedingly bare look about it tonight as UCD host Derry City at the UCD Bowl (7.45pm) and Shelbourne welcome Dundalk to Tolka Park (8pm). The rest of the clubs will play catch-up tomorrow and Sunday.

Meanwhile, Cork City boss Tommy Dunne has confirmed striker Tadhg Purcell has left the club following the end of his loan spell.

“Tadhg has gone back to England. We did speak to him and make him an offer but he feels he has unfinished business over there, so there is not much more we can do about it. The door is not closed but we are now looking at other options. I would like to thank Tadhg for his efforts in his time with the club and wish him the best of luck for the future.”

Talk of a Cork City friendly with Aberdeen appears to have been premature, meaning confirmed friendlies for the Leesiders will see them host Blackburn Rovers on August 12 (3pm) and, before that, Watford on July 24 (7.45pm). The latter fixture is given extra spice by the expectation that Gianfranco Zola will be in the visitors’ dug-out following the takeover of the Hornets by the Italian Pozzo family.