All aboard for a rollercoaster ride with the moody Blues as Limerick prepare for Cork City

Will the real Limerick FC please stand up? The question takes on added urgency with the visit of Cork City to the Markets Field tonight, a game which, on paper at least, would have been regarded before the season kicked off as potentially the toughest fixture the home side would face in the opening phase of the 2018 season.

But even though they are only five matches into the new campaign, Limerick have already experienced such a wild rollercoaster ride that supporters would be forgiven if they approach this evening’s visit of the champions hoping for the best, of course, but also fearing the worst.

The turbulence actually preceded a ball being kicked in anger, with the 11th hour departure of manager Neil McDonald and the loss of quality players like Chiedozie Ogbene to Brentford, Bastien Hery to Waterford, and Barry Cotter to Ipswich, prompting the bookies to install Limerick as relegation favourites.