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bigmattb28
bigmattb28
Dan
TinakoFM
Thanks, as always!
Basingstoke went bad but Limerick was a good job to get so soon after, a few other jobs interested me but would've included a relegation battle - I chickened out and went for the promotion race instead.
TinakoFM
Play-offs it is.
Our form was too inconsistent to win the title. We actually didn't lose to promotion rivals Longford Town or UCD (drawing both games in July/August) but didn't supplement those decent points with enough wins. September's losses to Cabinteely, when we could've closed the gap to three points, and Finn Harps killed us. We even dropped points to an average Athlone Town team to put our title hopes officially over before the final day. We just weren't good enough to secure top spot, barely even putting any pressure on unfortunately.
UCD went up as champions after taking advantage of a slip from Longford Town, who will be joining us and Finn Harps in the promotion play-offs. It's an interesting format in the Irish First Division. We'll met Finn Harps across two legs, with the winner facing Longford Town - again, after two legs. The winner there will then play two matches against the team that finished second bottom in the Premier Division - which will be either Drogheda United or Galway United.
It's a mammoth play-off structure. Remember, Limerick reached the final round of these play-offs last season prior to losing to the aforementioned Drogheda United. Hopefully our fans will have something to celebrate one year on.
I made a few signings, bringing in attacking midfielder Dean Dillon and centre-back Jack Funge (on loan). Dillon was needed after Robin Shroot retired mid-season, days before his loan was due to expiry anyway. Funge was just signed for defensive cover. The only other departure was Matthew Swann who returned to Basingstoke Town, I planned not to sign him but even if I did I couldn't as he renewed his contract with relegated Basingstoke.
Squad dynamics and board ratings have remained largely the same.
Thank you for reading!
Next? Play-offs!
Current Manager Profile:
Career Recap:
Job 001, 2019–2021:
Job 002, 2021:
Job 003, 2022–:
TinakoFM
Finn Harps done ... onto Longford Town!
Dan
TinakoFM
Indeed. However, I was pleased that UCD went up as champions - no way we were beating them. I was hopeful Longford were on a downer from their last day slip-up.
History repeats itself, as Drogheda United (of the top division) are Limerick's play-off final opponents.
TinakoFM
PROMOTION!
History didn't repeat itself, as we got revenge on Drogheda United in the promotion play-off finals. Only just, mind. We ran out winners via a penalty shoot-out after two nervy legs home/away, we better marginally the better so deserved to come out victorious.
It was 1-1 after 120 minutes at Hunky Dorys Park, Drogheda actually took the lead but substitute Dean Dillon got us level with just three minutes remaining of extra time. To my surprise, we won the penalty shoot-out with Michael Mahon, our 19-year-old left-back, netting the crucial spot-kick. What a way to go up!
Premier Division, here we come!
Thank you for reading!
Next? June 2023 (hopefully!)
Current Manager Profile:
Career Recap:
Job 001, 2019–2021:
Job 002, 2021:
Job 003, 2022–:
Awards/Trophies:
With Limerick:
Club: 2022 End of Season Play-offs (pic)
Personal: 2022 Manager of the Year (pic)
HawkAussie
TinakoFM
Thank you! Great to finally achieve some success in the save.
bigmattb28
Dan
TinakoFM
Indeed! It certainly was, makes it a very nervy process but one that feels great when you come out on top.
Cheers, Dan!
bigmattb28
TinakoFM
Agreed. Not sure what to expect from us, but I'm looking forward to finding out!
bigmattb28
Shedender
Notice how I have blatantly ignored the stint at Basingstoke?
TinakoFM
I didn't manage Basingstoke?
I noticed something like that about Limerick in real life, didn't realise they were proper done though - sad to see. A Shamrock Rovers 'B' team replacing them for 2020 I see? Mad.
TinakoFM
Not great.
It has been a tricky first number of months in 2023 in the top-flight for me at Limerick, the club's first season in it since 2018. A whole lot of red circles in there, as we've avoided defeat in just five competitive fixtures; from eighteen in total. We secured just two victories, over positional rivals UCD and St Patrick's Athletic while we could only manage a draw with Bohemian - the team above. Our runs in the Munster Senior Cup and EA Sports Cup were short-lived, as we were eliminated by league leaders Cork City in the former and First Division bottom club Wexford in the latter.
We, to no surprise, sit bottom of the Premier Division table after sixteen matches. We're 6pts behind Bohemian, who currently hold the play-off spot, and UCD; St Patrick's Athletic and Sligo Rovers aren't too far ahead. We're fortunate the gap is only 6pts to be honest, but a massive turnaround is still very much needed.
We were predicted to finish bottom by the bookmakers, with the board wanting us to "fight bravely against relegation".
Our 3-2 loss to UCD on 21 April 2023 was a real kick in the teeth, given we actually led 1-0 before gifting our rivals the three points thanks to two diabolic goals conceded (the other was a penalty, too) - which can be see below
https://youtu.be/AWvyyJbn2cs
Those were the transfers I made.
Anthony Breslin (LB), Maurice Nugent (CDM), Jason Lyons (FW), Ross Clarke (LW), Scott Pollock (CM, loan) and Conor Clifford (CM) arrived, they've all had first-team minutes with only Nugent and Clarke doing anything of any real note. Pollock has been injured for the majority, while Clifford only joined in April.
No massive outgoings, just squad players released or youth players departing.
Squad dynamics and board ratings are looking fine.
Thank you for reading!
Next? 4 November 2023! (hopefully)
Current Manager Profile:
Career Recap:
Job 001, 2019–2021:
Job 002, 2021:
Job 003, 2022–:
Awards/Trophies:
With Limerick:
Club: 2022 End of Season Play-offs (pic)
Personal: 2022 Manager of the Year (pic)
DNZY
TinakoFM
Thanks!
bigmattb28
TinakoFM
We very much do! Survival is all I - and the board - want from this season.
SrWer
TinakoFM
TinakoFM
That... that was horrific.
Limerick's return to the top-flight turned into a bloodbath. We will head back to the First Division after placing 10th, amassing a measly 15pts - double that for the gap between us and UCD, who stayed up via the play-offs, in 9th. We won just three league matches across 2023, two of which were versus UCD. Back at the start of June we were 6pts from safety, at one stage even closing the gap to 3pts, but we completely lost our way in the second portion of the campaign - notably losing all ten of our final fixtures. Goals were also a major issue, we only scored once in our final seven games.
An embarrassment, no two ways about it. The board wanted us to "fight bravely against relegation", it's arguable whether we did so or not but they didn't sack me - or even come close - so they must be content at least. What also helped in that regard was the players, who - despite 'dressing room atmosphere' being in the dark depths of red - have remained largely on side.
At the midway point, I did make three new signings in Michael O'Keane (LM, loan), Kevin O'Connor (LB) and Vadim Bakhtin (FW, loan). None of them, obviously, succeeded but O'Connor was OK - certainly an marginal upgrade on Adam Chicksen and Michael Mahon, the latter actually departed in July after we mutually agreed to terminate his contract; he went on to sign with UCD. Conor Kelly, a youngster, also left for Shamrock Rovers.
Here are the previously mentioned board/player feelings.
We Go Again!
The board and I have agreed on a contract extension, which will see me lead Limerick back in the First Division in 2024. My plan is get the club back in the Premier Division, then depart at the end of 2024. That's my hope, we all know football isn't as simple as that though.
Thank you for reading!
Next? June 2024! (hopefully)
Current Manager Profile:
Career Recap:
Job 001, 2019–2021:
Job 002, 2021:
Job 003, 2022–:
Awards/Trophies:
With Limerick:
Club: 2022 End of Season Play-offs (pic)
Personal: 2022 Manager of the Year (pic)
bigmattb28
TinakoFM
All part of the journeyman 'fun'.
Shedender