LIMERICK FC manager Martin Russell hopes that his team’s comprehensive 4-1 win over UCD at Markets Field on Saturday will serve as the benchmark for their performances throughout the season.
Although the visitors were a man light for the entirety of the second half after Brian Shortall’s red card just before the interval, Limerick looked hugely impressive in front of 1,252 spectators and showed just why they are such short odds for an immediate return to the Premier Division.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Russell said: “It’s only one game but I’m pleased with it. It sets the standards for us that we’ve got to try and match each week and better them if we can.
“We know that UCD are going to be one of the key players in the league this year and I’m happy with the group’s effort tonight, even though we’re disappointed that we fell a goal behind. All in all, I’m pleased with the effort from the group.”
The Super Blues travel to the RSC to take on Waterford United on Friday night, with Roddy Collins’ men losing their season opener 2-1 to Drogheda United, and Russell is hoping for more of the same from his players.
“Waterford were very unlucky not to get something from the game against Drogheda, so they’ll fancy their chances but we’ve just got to keep encouraging our lads to do the right thing. If we can put in a similar performance next week again, I’ll be happy.”
Saturday’s win was illuminated by the superb performance of Aaron Greene, who scored twice on his league debut for Limerick and showed just why he was a regular presence with clubs like Sligo Rovers and St Patrick’s Athletic in recent years.
The midfielder was doing his best not to get carried away with the performance against UCD and modestly downplayed his contribution on the night, saying: “It’s the first game of the season so we need to be realistic. A few of the fans were saying it’s a promotion party in two weeks but there’s going to be lots of ups and downs. Don’t forget that UCD scored early against us so it could have been a totally different game if it wasn’t for the sending off.
“We’re really happy just to get the three points. That’s all that matters to me. It doesn’t really matter about the goals. It’s always a bonus to get on the scoresheet but overall it’s about the performance and getting the win, and everyone has enjoyed it.
“I was actually marking the lad [Max Kouogun] for the set piece [for UCD’s goal] so it was nice to rectify it when I got the goals and when we got the third we killed the game off from there really. We played really well in patches and it shows with the full-time training that we have.”
That full-time setup was one of the main factors in attracting Greene to drop a division to play for Limerick and he believes that the club has huge potential to grow substantially in the near future.
“The full-time training is going to be a big factor in what we do. We’re full-time and we’re a First Division team. I couldn’t even count on my hand the amount of full-time teams in the Premier Division so it just shows how Pat [O’Sullivan] the chairman has bought into what he’s doing.
“I love playing for teams like this. It was like my time in Sligo because there’s only one team within the city. I honestly think this can blow up to be really big and by blow up, I don’t mean go bankrupt!”
Greene’s commitment to the Limerick cause is heightened by a draining schedule which sees him commuting to and from Dublin twice a week for family reasons, although his family was at Markets Field on Saturday to see him in action.
Also present in Garryowen for the Super Blues’ opening day victory was Collins, whose Waterford United side provide Limerick’s next opposition on Friday.
The Waterford manager had high praise for Limerick in a column for a national newspaper this week, writing: “I would expect them to be better right now than half the Premier Division.”
Collins added: “Limerick are set up for the long-term. I can see them being Premier Division champions soon enough if they stay on this course.”
