Having achieved promotion at the end of the 2016 season by winning the First Division at a canter, Limerick made their return to the top flight hoping to fight for something more than mere survival in the division.
Expectations rose further following their impressive 5:1 opening day victory over Sligo, but it soon became apparent that their board were hoping for European qualification, as they decided to part ways with manager Matin Russel in early April, with the side sitting in midtable.
Following a month under caretaker Willie Bolland, the Super Blues named their new permanent manager, with their choice being Neil McDonald, who arrived with an impressive pedigree, having been Mike Phelan's assistant at Hull and having earlier been in charge of Blackpool.
However, McDonald's results were pretty much the same as those achieved by Russel and Bolland, if not slightly worse, as the Super Blues found themselves only one place above the relegation zone with six games left to play in the season. The Super Blues responded to their struggles and went on a five-game unbeaten run which was enough for them to secure their survival with two games of the season left to play, but their hopes of qualifying for Europe had ended long before that.
All in all, the result that they have had will be considered a success by the realists among their fans, many of which will wonder if parting ways with Russel, who guided them to the top flight, was really necessary.
