Martin Russell confident Limerick can cause upset at Turner’s Cross

Limerick FC manager Martin Russell believes his team can travel to Turner’s Cross for tomorrow’s meeting with title-chasing Cork City with renewed hope of avoiding relegation.

After failing to win their first 22 games and going 10 points adrift at the bottom, Limerick seemed doomed going into August, but wins in their two most recent outings have narrowed the gap on Sligo Rovers to four points ahead of the Munster derby.

Russell, who has set the Shannonsiders the objective of five wins from their final 10 matches, said: “That’s the type of target we’ve got to aim for and that’s why we’ve got the hardest task. Others don’t need as much going into the run-in, but we’ve just got to try and maximise each game.

“I think there are teams above Sligo who will have to work hard to get results. They might not get those and Sligo and ourselves can get closer. It’s still all to play for and the fact that we’ve all got to play each other is another factor.

“There’s no doubt that we’ve still got the hardest job but we’re going to give it our best go.

“I said from the start that it’s been a really competitive league. We’ve to try and get as many points as possible and it’s going to be a great challenge, but I do think there’s reasonable hope now.”

Limerick lost 5-0 on their previous visit to Turner’s Cross in March, with Cork also claiming the points at Jackman Park with a 1-0 victory in May, but the addition of some much-needed experience in July has prompted their recent upturn in fortunes.

One of those who joined the Shannonsiders last month is midfielder Lee-J Lynch, who returned following a brief spell at Scottish Premiership club Hamilton. The 23-year-old midfielder felt that Russell’s team had been unlucky in quite a few matches during the lengthy winless run, also highlighting the impact of the summer signings.

“I watched a few of their home games and they just weren’t getting the rub of the green. I don’t think the morale has been low. It’s been there and the boys have kept the faith. They’re getting their rewards for it now after two wins in a row.

“We’ve got the right balance now. The team in the last two games has been our most experienced starting 11 that we could have played. I think it’s showing, because sometimes you need to see out a game and ride the storm for 10 minutes.”

If Limerick succeed in avoiding relegation, it is quite probable that Lynch’s former club Sligo could suffer that fate and he spoke ruefully about the Bit O Red’s struggles this year.

“I hate seeing where Sligo are, but I play with Limerick now and I want us to be safe. If it means Sligo going down, it’s a must-be. I’d rather us stay safe and Sligo going down, but it’s sad to see where the club is and I hope they can get back to where they were a few years ago.”