LIMERICK FC manager, Martin Russell is confident the club can remain competitive in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division this season despite operating with a scaled down squad size.

LIMERICK FC manager, Martin Russell is confident the club can remain competitive in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division this season despite operating with a scaled down squad size.

Limerick FC Chairman Pat O’Sullivan recently revealed that his family company, Galtee Fuels, can no longer continue to fund the club to the level they have in the past, also stressing the need for the club to ‘learn to live within its means.’

A number of senior players have departed the club during the closed season, but to date have not been replaced with players of similar SSE Airtricity League experience. The club, who begin their Premier Division season with a tie against Bohemians at the Markets Field on Saturday, March 7, have largely placed their faith in their emerging talent. However, the Blues expect to confirm the re-signing of experienced defender Samuel Oji this week.

Speaking at the club’s kit launch this week, Martin Russell said: “Pat’s (O’Sullivan’s) statement made it quite clear where the club has come from. The main thing was that it is vital the club is sustainable and is living within its means. Obviously, that has an effect on the playing budget which has been greater. I have to maximise the resources I have been given.

“If we can put a team out which can be competitive - which I believe we can - I am sure during the season, with the introduction of some younger players, maybe ahead of schedule, there will be plenty of positives which the Limerick footballing people will see at the Markets Field.

“The big areas for us (in terms of signings) would probably be centre half and I would like probably another forward at least. We won’t have the luxury of having the amount of bodies we had probably over the past number of seasons.”