Limavady United midfielder Philip Lowry says the buzz at the club is fantastic as the Irish Premiership new boys continue to adjust to life in the top flight. The 37-year-old helped the Roesiders win promotion as Championship winners last term, thereby bridging an 18-year gap since they were last part of the top division. Paul Owens' side beat Linfield in the Irish Cup last season but the former Blues and Crusaders midfielder Lowry knows they face a big challenge against David Healy's side. Limavady are still looking for their first points since their long-awaited return to the top division after losing away to Glentoran in their first fixture of the campaign and then suffering a further loss at home to Carrick Rangers. Linfield bounced back from their opening day defeat by Ballymena United with wins over Glentoran and Cliftonville at Windsor Park. "It's always a big day when you play against Linfield and obviously our first year back in the Premiership." Lowry told BBC Sport NI's Odhran Crumley. "The first two games have probably been a real learning curve for us. In terms of performance they have been OK."
Where are Limavady in the Irish Premiership table this season?
Limavady United sit winless after two Irish Premiership outings following their long-awaited return to the top flight. The Roesiders lost their opening fixture away to Glentoran before suffering defeat at home to Carrick Rangers, leaving them searching for their first points of the campaign. Paul Owens' side will be eager to change their fortunes when they welcome Linfield to the Showgrounds on Saturday, a fixture Lowry described as one of the first you look out for in a new Premiership season. The postponement of last weekend's game against Larne due to the Invermen's European commitments gave the squad a valuable two-week preparation period to focus on the visit of the Blues. Lowry believes the less experienced players among their group are beginning to become acclimatised to playing at larger grounds in front of bigger crowds.
Who is in Limavady's squad for the Linfield trip?
Lowry believes the less experienced players among their group are beginning to become acclimatised to playing at larger grounds in front of bigger crowds. Last weekend's scheduled game against Larne was postponed because of the Invermen's European commitments, giving the Limavady squad a fortnight to prepare for the visit of the Blues. "Our younger players who hadn't sampled it before are probably more familiar with the sizes of the crowds we'll be getting and the standard of the opposition," he continued. "We've had a good two weeks' training and we're fully focused on Saturday."
What is Limavady's next fixture after the Linfield game?
Limavady United's next fixture sees them face Dungannon Swifts at home on 12 December 2026, a crucial match as they look to secure their first points of the Irish Premiership season. The Roesiders have endured a winless start to their top-flight campaign, losing their opening two games against Glentoran and Carrick Rangers. Paul Owens' side will be eager to turn their form around when the Swifts visit the Showgrounds, with Lowry insisting the squad is fully focused on turning decent performances into points. The two-week break before the Linfield visit has given the younger players valuable time to adapt to the standard of the opposition and the size of the crowds they will face. Lowry remains optimistic that the good core of home-based players and exciting young talent can deliver the results the club and its growing support base are looking for.
How has Limavady adapted since their Carrick Rangers defeat?
Limavady United have used the defeat at the hands of Carrick Rangers as a catalyst for improvement in their early Irish Premiership campaign. The loss at the hands of Carrick Rangers highlighted areas the Roesiders need to address, particularly in front of goal, as Lowry admitted they have not been as clinical at the top end of the pitch. The two-week break before the Linfield visit has allowed the squad to work on the sloppy mistakes that cost them against the Gers, with Lowry noting the younger players are becoming more familiar with the standard of the opposition. Lowry believes the good core of home-based players and really good exciting young players can turn their decent performances into points moving forward. Everything is boding well and I think we're getting more and more supporters coming out to watch us now we're back in the Premiership.
