Shamrock Rovers 1 - 0 Limerick FC

Shamrock Rovers earned a slender 1-0 victory over Limerick FC at the Tallaght Stadium on Friday night. Karl Sheppard’s first half goal proved to be the difference between the sides during a very disappointing game which was played in an almost constant downpour.

The home team started the better of the two teams and they had the first chance of the game in the 4th minute. Captain Stephen Rice, who was probably Rovers best player on the night, won a challenge on the edge of the area and found James Chambers who took a snap shot that went straight at Barry Ryan.

However it was Limerick who came closest to scoring first after 17 minutes. Patrick Nzuzi made a fine run forward from left back and picked out Danny Galbraith who was unmarked in the area. Galbraith took a touch and then fired a shot at goal but Richard Brush made a fine block to deny him. Alex Bossekota fired the rebound wide.
 

Rovers nearly scored at the other end moments later. Ronan Finn found Billy Dennehy on the left. Dennehy pulled it back to Karl Sheppard who looked certain to score but Stephen Folan blocked his effort.
 

Stephen Rice had a long range shot in the 27th minute which was straight at Ryan. Rice should have scored from much closer range shortly afterwards. Finn played a lovely pass in behind the blues defence to Sheppard. The Shamrock Rovers striker’s cross found the onrushing midfielder who somehow put it over the top from six yards out.
 

However Rovers took the lead on the half hour. James Chambers swung in a corner from the left hand side and Sheppard stole in at the near post to flick it into the net.
 

Rory Gaffney had the first effort on goal of a very poor second half. Gaffney picked up possession on the edge of the Hoops area in the 53rd minute. He turned inside Conor McCormack and got his shot away but his strike did not have enough power to trouble Brush.
 

Shamrock Rovers had most of the play in the first half of the second half but chances were few and far between as both sides were guilty of giving the ball away too much.
 

After Shane Costello was booked for a foul on Billy Dennehy the home team were awarded a free kick which James Chambers eventually took in the 72nd minute after treatment to Costello. Chambers cleverly pulled it back to Stephen Rice and Rover’s number six hit a right foot shot which went just wide.
 

Limerick created an opportunity in the 83rd minute. Shane Tracy played it across the edge of the area to substitute Darragh Rainsford. Rainsford tried his luck with his right foot but the ball was nowhere near on target and ended up very far wide.
 

Substitute Jeffery Judge, who was only on the pitch for six minutes, received a straight red card for a high tackle on Stephen Rice in the 93rd minute. Rice was incensed with the challenge. Shamrock Rovers held on to win by a single goal but this game will not live long in the memory.

 

Shamrock Rovers: Richard Brush; Conor McCormack, Ken Oman, Derek Foran, Conor Powell; Sean O'Connor (Thomas Stewart 90), Ronan Finn, James Chambers (Pat Sullivan 87), Stephen Rice (c), Billy Dennehy; Karl Sheppard (Ciaran Kilduff 59).
Subs not used: Barry Murphy, Danny Ledwith, Gary McCabe, Mark Sandford.

Booked: None.

 

Limerick FC: Barry Ryan (c); Shane Costello (Barry Sheedy 73), Robbie Williams, Stephen Folan, Patrick Nzuzi; Shane Tracy, Danny Galbraith (Darragh Rainsford 67), David O'Leary (Jeffery Judge 87), Stephen Bradley, Alex Bossekota; Rory Gaffney.
Subs not used: Shane Cusack, Brian O'Callaghan, Joe Gamble, Val Feeney.

Booked: Bradley (36), Bossekota (38), Costello (72), Williams (89).
Sent-off: Jeffery Judge (90+3)

Referee: Neil Doyle.
Attendance: 2,489 
Extratime.ie man of the match: Patrick Nzuzi (Limerick FC).