Limerick plotting great escape

It’s the final night of the regular season in the SSE Airtricity League and, at the bottom of the Premier Division, Limerick and Drogheda United will hope to turn the last chance saloon into the second last chance saloon — while Galway United and Sligo Rovers, will be cursing the fates should a miraculous swing in goal difference see either of them dragged back into the relegation mire.

The RTÉ2 cameras will be at the Showgrounds to see if Limerick can get the win versus Sligo they need to avoid automatic relegation. “It’s clear cut: we need to win,” says manager Martin Russell.

Two points above Limerick, Drogheda United will be hoping for the same against Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght, a result which would definitely ensure them of, at least, a playoff place, at the expense of the Shannonsiders. With the two relegation-threatened sides also sharing an identical goal difference of -28, things could hardly be tighter.

Big night ahead for #LimerickFC on Friday as we look to get off the bottom on last day. Will we make the playoff? ⚽️

— Limerick FC (@LimerickFCie) October 29, 2015

Galway United welcome St Patrick’s Athletic to Eamonn Deacy knowing their safety isn’t guaranteed yet, but their goal difference is superior to Drogheda whose only chance of actually securing their Premier Division status tonight would be if they beat Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium by a big margin and Pat’s depart Eamonn Deacy Park with the three points.

Pats will want to secure fourth place and a Europa League spot in Galway, knowing that Bohemians, now two points behind in fifth, are breathing down their necks as they prepare to host Cork City at Dalymount Park.

For their part, John Caulfield’s team are chasing a second-place finish for the second year in a row, keeping them ahead of a Shamrock Rovers side who go into their game against Drogheda two points behind Cork in third place.

But it’s at the bottom that the real nail-biting is in store tonight as we are set to learn who will be automatically relegated and who will live to fight another day in the promotion-relegation playoff.

Awaiting the winner will be either Finn Harps or UCD, with Harps taking a one-goal lead back to Finn Park tonight for the second leg of their First Division play-off.

Fixture list for final night of Premier Division:

Bohemians v Cork City, Dalymount Park; Dundalk v Bray Wanderers, Oriel Park; Galway United v St Patrick’s Athletic, Eamonn Deacy Park; Longford Town v Derry City, City Calling Stadium; Shamrock Rovers v Drogheda United, Tallaght Stadium; and Sligo Rovers v Limerick, the Showgrounds.

And in the First Division, Finn Harps play UCD in the second leg of their promotion playoff.

All games kick off at 7.45pm