Limerick FC manager Tommy Barrett has stated that his players will do everything in their power to ensure that the club maintains it’s premier division status this season. The Super Blues travel to Donegal on Monday night for the first leg of the playoff after they finish off the regular season with a trip to Waterford on Friday night.
Due to the lack of squad depth, Barrett admits he will be forced to play a large number of players on Friday that will be pivotal to his plans for the two legged playoff next week. “It is a small squad. With the five lads injured, we have only 19 available then. Of course we want to rest a few lads but realistically a few of the lads will have to play because we just don’t have the squad. We have nine U-19s and one U-17 player included in the 24 as well. Ideally, I would have used some more u-19s and used it as a dead rubber game but we cant do that as we only signed 24 players.”
Despite a lack of confirmation until nearly two weeks ago, the Limerick management and playing staff were aware that they would be contesting a promotion/relegation playoff for almost six weeks. As a result, Barrett is well aware of the challenge his fragile squad are facing next week. “Yeah Willie (Boland) went to have a look at them (Finn Harps) and we saw a few videos of them. They are a good side. Very strong at the back and really lively up front. Harps have played 3-5-2 a lot this year. They have got the likes of John Kavanagh on loan who we couldn’t get on loan because we were banned from signing players.”
Barrett feels that the team must concentrate on their own performance but will also line up to counteract the strengths of Finn Harps. “We will have a look at it over the weekend. We will look at that midfield area and see what best suits us as well. We have to concentrate on our own game without neglecting or respecting Finn Harps. They deserve a lot of respect because they have only been beaten once since June.”
To listen to the full interview where Tommy discusses the big week in further detail, click on the play button on the link below:
