Limerick captain Shane Duggan admits that the club are disappointed not to be starting the season back at the Markets Field but believes that the crowds will flock to the historic venue when the club do get to return to their spiritual home.
Having spent the past two seasons playing out of Thomond Park, Limerick were primed to return to their former home for the start of the new season. However, the ground is not ready and the club will begin the season at Jackman Park.
And Duggan believes that it is imperative that the side enjoy a positive start to the season to carry some momentum for that, eventual, opening encounter back at the Markets Field.
Speaking to RTÉ Sport, Duggan said: “It's a big disappointment. We were all expecting to be there but it wasn't to be. We're in Jackman Park now. They are saying in April or May we will be back in there.
“Obviously, there is a big buzz around Limerick so the sooner the better. There is a lot of history in the Markets Field. It is the home of Limerick soccer and they won a lot of trophies down through the years there and we want to bring those good times back again.
“It's really important going into every season that we get a good start. Hopefully we have a few wins under our belt before we move back in there.”
"Obviously, there is a big buzz around Limerick so the sooner the better. There is a lot of history in the Markets Field."
The Limerick skipper believes that manager Martin Russell has assembled a squad that will be more than able to compete in the Premier Division this season, with some experienced players added to the new-look Limerick squad.
“It's going really well," said Duggan. "All the lads are working really hard. There is a lot of youth coming through and it is really good. We had eight weeks of hard training so it's all down to looking forward to Saturday [at home to Bohemians] now.
“We have lost of a lot of players from last season. Martin has brought in some good experience as well and there are also the young lads coming through. It's a good blend because there are still seven or eight experienced players so we will be really competitive, we feel.
“All of the lads have done well since coming; experienced lads like Paul O'Conor. Sean Russell has come in, and Conor O'Donnell is one of the best young goalkeepers in the league and he has done really well in pre-season. Dean Clarke up front can score a lot of goals this season.
“If we can get a few more points than last season, and try to build on the league places - we finished sixth last year and that was the best Limerick finished in a number of years. Hopefully we can build on that and finish higher up the table.”
