New Signing
This week one of Limericks greatest ever soccer players, Willie John Boland trained with the Limerick FC squad. Having played in the English Premier League with Coventry City, Willie went on to become Cardiff City’s longest serving player, lining out for the Welsh outfit 234 times in 7 years. Now at the age of 34, the former Carew Park schoolboy is about to fulfil a long held ambition and line out with his home town club.
A true professional, Boland is as determined as ever to make a difference. A knee injury prompted him to announce his retirement last year and take up a coaching role at Hartlepool United, however his recovery from the injury and the chance to finally play for Limerick FC has seen the tough tackling midfielder reverse that decision.
After training last week, Boland was optimistic about his future, “This is something I definitely want, my knee has recovered and I’ve been back training for around 12 weeks now. I only want to come back if I’m at my best and can give it everything.” Widely regarded as the best professional at Cardiff City where he still enjoys legendary status amongst their fans, Boland is determined never to let his standards drop, “It’s done and dusted now, I had a lot to consider including my family. Also this is my hometown club and I don’t want to let anyone down.”
Both in attitude and as a player, Bolands sheer presence gives the whole squad a lift, “There’s a lot of young players here and I think I can add a lot of experience and help them along. I’ve heard a lot of great things about the club recently and I’d love to play my part in getting Limerick promoted.”
You get the feeling that Boland could be the right man, in the right place, at the right time. In his second season at Cardiff he played a huge part in their promotion and went on to form a formidable midfield partnership with Irish International Graham Kavanagh, “The way I feel at the moment I believe I have another couple of seasons left in me but only if I’m 100% right. I’m impressed with Pat Scully, the young players here and the club in general, obviously I’m delighted it worked out as I think I still have a lot to offer.”
As impressed as Boland is with Pat Scully, the Limerick manager is equally complimentary of his new signing, ”I’m not just looking for players in certain positions, they have to have the right attitude, they have to be able to add something significant to the squad or else you run the risk of disrupting the balance. Willie came highly recommended as a person and a professional, obviously we know he’s a great player but as a professional in England for 17 years he’s only had 3 clubs, that speaks volumes, he’s a lad managers want to hang on to.” Pat OSullivan Limerick FC Chairman said “I and everyone at the club are delighted to bring Willie Boland to Limerick FC, a local lad with his experience can only aid the club and our young squad”.
Limerick FC fans won’t have to wait too long to see their new signing, Willie will be eligible to make his debut next Saturday against Athlone Town. It’s very reassuring to see Pat Scully continue to plan one step ahead. The fact that the reputation of Limerick FC is growing rapidly in a positive way again reinforces the progress made under the current regime. Rumours surrounding other summer signings continue to circulate and along with Willie Boland this season continues to raise the excitement and expectation levels for a club all soccer supporters in the Midwest want to see back in the Premier division.
Limerick FC U20 Trials
Limerick FC will be holding trials for U20 players anyone interested in taking part should contact the club immediately by email on info@limerickfc.ie
Limerick FC Commercial Opportunities
Limerick FC are currently looking for sponsors for the new season. Limerick FC have a range of sponsorship opportunities ranging from Matchday, Programs, Pitchside Signs, Player Sponsorship up to Team sponsorships including Senior, U20’s and our Academy. There are many more ways to get involved in supporting your club for details please contact the club or the commercial manager on 0857694324.
Limerick FC Fundraisers
To play the Limerick FC Lotto, log onto www.limerickfc.ie, follow the link to the clubs www.locallotto.ie pages and select 4 numbers from 1 to 36. The cost is just €2 per week and you can sign up from as little as 10 weeks or up to the full year. Anybody who matches the four numbers drawn each week wins or shares in the Jackpot which will have a minimum of €2,200 guaranteed this week. The next draw will take place @ 8pm on Thursday night . If there is no Jackpot winner on the night, there will be 4 tickets drawn at random for €25 each. Tickets cost €2·00 each.
Jobs at Limerick FC
Limerick FC are currently looking for Lotto sellers on a commission basis.
Full details of the following are available on www.limerickfc.ie or by contacting Limerick FC office on 061 324563 or email info@limerickfc.ie
For full details on all club fundraisers, sponsorship opportunities, club shop, upcoming fixtures and season ticket prices log onto www.limerickfc.ie
Match Review
League of Ireland Division 1
Monaghan Utd 2-1 Limerick FC
Friday 30th April 2010
Scorers for Limerick: Stephen Hickey (80)
Goals from Philly Hughes and Cathal O’Connor secured Monaghan United their fourth successive Airtricity League First Division victory but a lively, attack-minded Limerick FC made it a close-run thing in this action-packed encounter at Gortakeegan.
John Tierney fired inches past the post as Limerick made a purposeful start, but it was Monaghan who opened the scoring with their first attack of the game. Sean Brennan’s shot looked to be heading harmlessly into the grasp of Limerick’s Dave Ryan until an inadvertent deflection off Hughes sent the ball past the bemused goalkeeper and into the net on the ninth minute.
Monaghan spent most of the reminder of the half on the defensive, but they worked hard to deny their opponents clear-cut chances. It was only in added time of the half that Tierney shook himself free of United covering, but his shot on the turn flashed outside the upright.
United took the game to the visitors in the early period of the second half, and Ryan had to go full- length to turn Brennan’s low drive around the post in the 59th minute. Limerick manager Pat Scully rang the changes to almost immediate effect, newly introduced substitute Daryl Kavanagh striking a blistering shot on the run narrowly wide.
Mick Cooke’s men were anxious for the security of a second goal, and it arrived after 69 minutes when Conor McMahon struck a measured cross from the right and O’Connor glided the ball into the corner. United goalkeeper Gabriel Sava made a superb reaction save to prevent sub Stephen Hickey driving home an almost immediate Limerick riposte. But the outstanding goalkeeping contribution of the night was made by Dave Ryan when he somehow denied Brennan by pushing his close-range effort up and around the post.
The save seemed to inject Limerick with renewed belief, and in the 80th minute Hickey powered into the box and drove an emphatic shot past Sava. Monaghan defended with composure as the visitors poured everything into their endeavours for a late equaliser. Home fans held their breath two minutes from time when Limerick’s Sean Kelly powered in a header from Martin Deady’s free-kick, but the ball sailed just over the crossbar.
Monaghan United: Sava; McMahon, Lynch, Gartland, Costigan; O’Connor, McCrossan (Tierney 70), Byrne, Clancy; Brennan, Hughes (Bermingham 72).
Subs not used: Flynn, Donnelly, Collins.
Limerick FC: Ryan; White, Stanley, Purcell, Deady; Hughes (Kavanagh 54), Judge (Kelleher 58), Kelly, Tracy; Lyons (Hickey 70), Tierney.
Subs not used: Cahill, Collopy
Limerick Ladies
Limerick Ladies lost out 4-2 on penalties to Dundalk in the Umbro FAI National Senior Challenge Cup last Sunday May 2nd in the Newtown ground in Shannon.
Season Ticket/Match Ticket Prices 2010
Limerick FC have reduced their General Admission/Season Ticket Prices for the season.
- Tickets Adult Stand €12
- Student Stand €10
- OAP/U16 €6
- Tickets Adult Terrace €10
- Student Terrace €7
- OAP/U16 €5
- U12 Free with Adult
(All Season tickets include Club Membership worth €20)
Tickets available online on www.limerickfc.ie or contact 061324563.
LFC Academy
Limerick FC Academy are available to bring coaches out to any club for Weekday or Weekend sessions. Limerick FC Academy Coaches are also available for Functions or Birthday Parties as Required. For information on all Limerick FC training camps which will take place in a number of venues across the Midwest or if you’d like to book a place for your child then you can contact the Academy on 061-324563 or by emailing academy@limerickfc.ie Keep up to date with all the news from the club by logging on to www.limerickfc.ie.
For any further Press details please contact – Joe Sweeney Media Officer Limerick FC on 0857694324 or joes@limerickfc.ie
