SO THE NEIL McDonald era is up and running at Limerick.
A week ago, the former Carlisle United and Blackpool boss was unveiled as the Blues’ new permanent manager but his SSE Airtricity League debut ended in a 3-0 defeat to Dundalk at Markets Field.
They travelled to Dalymount Park to face a Bohemians side boosted by their recent win over Bray Wanderers last night, and came away with all three points.
“I was trying to direct it back across,” Ogbene told The42. “I thought it might have hit the post but the defender helped it in. A goal is a goal, you take everything that comes and we’re delighted with the three points.”
The promising 20-year-old arrived from Cork City in January and looked a threat on the left wing throughout the game.
“The managers that I’ve had since arriving have all been great,” he added. “Martin [Russell] was in charge when I joined, then Willie [Boland] took us for a bit and now Neil has arrived. They have all allowed me to express myself and it has been great coming to the club. The players were very supportive too so that made it easy.
It’s been difficult because we dropped a lot of points at the start of the season but that happens. We’re still aiming for top four and we believe we can push on with the squad we have.
Advertisement
“This was a massive three points for us and hopefully we can go to Finn Harps and do something similar.”
Limerick boss Neil McDonald. Oisin Keniry / INPHO
Oisin Keniry / INPHO / INPHO
The decision to change formation to start with Rodrigo Tosi and Chris Mulhall up front paid off as Limerick created plenty of goalscoring opportunities and McDonald was equally happy with the result.
“It was vitally important that the boys put in a really good performance,” he said. “We’ve come into the game under a little bit of pressure and changed the system again after working on it in training.
“Having two up top has helped us create chances. Over the whole game, I think we’ve great 12 chances and scored two goals, which is a hell of a difference from almost having none against Dundalk.
“It was a great response from the players. We were getting forward more and trying to express ourselves, which was excellent.
“We’ve conceded a goal so we still have to defend better but we certainly bossed the second half and we should have scored more than we did.
We’ll take a 2-1 victory away from home after losing my first game, so we move onto the next match a little bit more confident in what we’re trying to do.”
Freddy Hall filled in for the suspended Brendan Clarke in goal and the Bermuda international did his chances of challenging the Limerick number one no harm with a solid performance.
“I think we’ve got two top class goalkeepers and they’re fighting for their place,” added McDonald. “Clarky had it first and then he got sent off. Now it’s up to Freddy to try and keep his place because Clarky will want to get back in as he’s free from suspension.
“The competition is good for places in that way. It wasn’t just Freddy, I think our defence played really well and we looked solid, compact and hard to break down.”
Limerick remain sixth after the win but they have closed the gap on Shamrock Rovers to two points heading into Friday’s away match with Finn Harps.
“It’s still early for me to come out and say ‘we’re going to finish in the top three or in the European spots’, but let’s see where it takes us,” said the new manager, when asked about his ambitions for the remainder of the season.
“We’ve had our first fixture away from home and we got three points to bring us a bit closer to the top. Let’s just try to progress and improve in all aspects of the game.”
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
Fresh sense of optimism at Limerick as new regime gets first three points on the board
SO THE NEIL McDonald era is up and running at Limerick.
A week ago, the former Carlisle United and Blackpool boss was unveiled as the Blues’ new permanent manager but his SSE Airtricity League debut ended in a 3-0 defeat to Dundalk at Markets Field.
They travelled to Dalymount Park to face a Bohemians side boosted by their recent win over Bray Wanderers last night, and came away with all three points.
Chiezdozie Ogbene’s header on 82 minutes was diverted into his own net by Bohs defender Dan Byrne to hand Limerick a 2-1 victory, and the attacker was just glad to see the ball cross the line.
“I was trying to direct it back across,” Ogbene told The42. “I thought it might have hit the post but the defender helped it in. A goal is a goal, you take everything that comes and we’re delighted with the three points.”
The promising 20-year-old arrived from Cork City in January and looked a threat on the left wing throughout the game.
“The managers that I’ve had since arriving have all been great,” he added. “Martin [Russell] was in charge when I joined, then Willie [Boland] took us for a bit and now Neil has arrived. They have all allowed me to express myself and it has been great coming to the club. The players were very supportive too so that made it easy.
“This was a massive three points for us and hopefully we can go to Finn Harps and do something similar.”
The decision to change formation to start with Rodrigo Tosi and Chris Mulhall up front paid off as Limerick created plenty of goalscoring opportunities and McDonald was equally happy with the result.
“It was vitally important that the boys put in a really good performance,” he said. “We’ve come into the game under a little bit of pressure and changed the system again after working on it in training.
“Having two up top has helped us create chances. Over the whole game, I think we’ve great 12 chances and scored two goals, which is a hell of a difference from almost having none against Dundalk.
“It was a great response from the players. We were getting forward more and trying to express ourselves, which was excellent.
“We’ve conceded a goal so we still have to defend better but we certainly bossed the second half and we should have scored more than we did.
Freddy Hall filled in for the suspended Brendan Clarke in goal and the Bermuda international did his chances of challenging the Limerick number one no harm with a solid performance.
“I think we’ve got two top class goalkeepers and they’re fighting for their place,” added McDonald. “Clarky had it first and then he got sent off. Now it’s up to Freddy to try and keep his place because Clarky will want to get back in as he’s free from suspension.
“The competition is good for places in that way. It wasn’t just Freddy, I think our defence played really well and we looked solid, compact and hard to break down.”
Limerick remain sixth after the win but they have closed the gap on Shamrock Rovers to two points heading into Friday’s away match with Finn Harps.
“It’s still early for me to come out and say ‘we’re going to finish in the top three or in the European spots’, but let’s see where it takes us,” said the new manager, when asked about his ambitions for the remainder of the season.
“We’ve had our first fixture away from home and we got three points to bring us a bit closer to the top. Let’s just try to progress and improve in all aspects of the game.”
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
Former Blackpool boss picks up his first win in Irish football at the expense of Bohs
Cork City lead by 15 points after Dundalk are held at home
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
blues Chiedozie Ogbene SSE Airtricity League Premier Division Dalymount Park League of Ireland LOI Neil McDonald Bohemians Limerick