Limerick FC manager Tommy Barrett cut a frustrated figure after his side failed to score for the third game running in the SSE Airtricity League First Division. Drogheda United were the latest team to frustrate Limerick as Tim Clancy’s men came away
Limerick FC manager Tommy Barrett cut a frustrated figure after his side failed to score for the third game running in the SSE Airtricity League First Division.
Drogheda United were the latest team to frustrate Limerick as Tim Clancy’s men came away from the Markets Field with a 0-0 draw.
“I think we had the two best chances of the game,” said Barrett. “They are ahead of us in terms of development and have a Premier Division budget.
“They can bring Premier Division players like Thomas Byrne off the bench. We have a lot of good young lads that are working their socks off. We are doing the best we can. Is it fantastic football at the moment? It’s not.”
The best chance of the game fell in added time as Karl O’Sullivan’s cut back fell to Kieran (Red) Hanlon but the striker was off target from 10 yards.
It was a chance that Barrett felt that his striker should have put away. Hanlon also missed from a close range header after being sprung from the bench at half time.
“Red’s got to score. He was unlucky with the header but he probably should get a better connection. The second one as well, he skied it.
“He probably could have taken a touch but he is in there, in the right place. They had a couple of chances as well so we are happy enough to get the point.”
Barrett has called on the people of Limerick to get behind his team as they prepare for their home game against Cobh Ramblers next week.
There was a crowd of 420 at the Markets Field for the draw against Drogheda, 394 less that came through the turnstiles for the opening day draw against Longford.
“I was disappointed because I thought we did well the last night against Longford. There are plenty of reasons for that but we have to be positive.
“We have 18 amateur players in the squad now and five that are part time. That’s where we are at. Our budget is a lot lower than the three teams that we have played.
“It’s not all about budget, I know that and I understand that but expectations that we will be beating Drogheda comfortably is unrealistic.
“At the same time, we could easily have won both those games 1-0. We could have easily lost them 1-0. I don’t see us hammering anyone in this division.
“It’s not like a few years ago when we had a huge budget. People need to realise that. They are good, young local lads that are getting lots of game time.
“Hopefully, in the next year or two, we can be competing at the top of the table. We have got to build it.”
