Limerick FC are fifth in the First Division of the SSE Airtricity League, but the issues in the city revolve around the administration of the club. The Limerick Leader newspaper are reporting that a group of investors, led by Donal Magee, have pulled out of plans to take over the Super Blues.
This is over a breakdown in talks between the potential investors and current owner Pat O'Sullivan, who remains in sole ownership of the club.
In a statement, Magee said that "we have been unable to come to an amicable agreement with the club to pursue a takeover. Regrettably we feel the terms and valuation put forward to us are unworkable and our belief is that the valuation of the club is unreasonable."
Limerick have run into recent difficulties over payments to players. The club have only five professionals, but by last Friday, they had not received full pay for March. The club received a licence from the FAI at the start of the year.
Limerick FC in various iterations have a strong legacy in the game. In 1980, the club, managed by future Republic of Ireland boss Eoin Hand, won the League of Ireland. They would play the mighty Real Madrid in the European Cup later that year. In 1982, Limerick defeated Bohemians to win the FAI Cup Final, with Tony Ward swapping the Irish number 10 rugby jersey to be a part of the Cup winning team.
In another code, hurling, the sponsorship of businessman JP McManus and the investment in an underage academy were the foundations for the county's first All Ireland win in 45 years last August. Their soccer cousins in the Treaty city would surely welcome a similar pathway right now.
And of course, the Munster Rugby franchise is enormously powerful in the city, with Thomond Park a fixture for regular European matches and Pro 14 games.
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