Limerick FC 1 - 3 UCD

A well-drilled UCD side took advantage of a gutless Limerick performance at Thomond Park to claim all three points as they ran out three-one winners on Friday night. 

Craig Curran's opener would prove to be merely academic as goals from Dean Clarke, Stephen Folan (og) and Cillian Morrison ensured the three points went back up the M7 with the Students. 

Limerick started brightly and earned a penalty kick when Gareth Matthews hauled down Craig Curran in the box as he was about to pounce on a cross from Danny Galbraith. In Shane Tracy's absence, Curran converted calmly – sending Limerick native Ger Barron the wrong way. 

Despite a spell of dominance over the next ten minutes, Limerick failed to carve out any real openings and UCD fired the first warning sign of the night as Dean Clarke advanced on the right wing before shooting across Barry Ryan, but the vigilant Patrick Nzuzi was on hand to clear. 

The Blues didn't heed that warning, however, and Dean Clarke equalised midway through the half. Sean Russell was in possession of the ball just twenty yards from goal. His effort left a lot to be desired, but the opportunistic Clarke latched onto the shot and slotted into the bottom corner to level matters. 

As half time was looming, Martin Russell's men struck again. David O'Connor latched onto a corner from the right to smash past Barry Ryan in the Limerick goal. The UCD dressing room was to be a far more pleasant setting for the break. 

In a moment of controversy, Limerick were denied a clear goal-scoring opportunity by the linesman of all people. With just twenty minutes left on the clock, Tomas Boyle headed backwards toward his own goal, but the contact was poor and Danny Galbraith raced in behind to go one-on-one with Barron. However, the linesman on the near side raised his flag much to the dismay of the Limerick bench. 

Matters got worse for the home side just minutes before the end – Limerick were caught in possession once more and Cillian Morrison's run wasn't met with a challenge of any sort. He took aim from twenty yards and slotted home much to the delight of his team mates. 

Just as Limerick believed their misery was over, Shaun Kelly was sent off for a rash challenge just two minutes from the end. Limerick's paper-thin list of defensive options was stretched even further with that dismissal. 

Sometimes football is simple – the team with the passion can come out on top. That was certainly the case in this encounter. 

Limerick FC: Barry Ryan; Shaun Kelly, Patrick Nzuzi, Stephen Folan, Shane Costelloe; David O'Leary, Stephen Bradley, Joe Gamble (Rory Gaffney, 72); Danny Galbraith, Craig Curran, Axel Bossekota (Darragh Rainsford, 77). 
Subs not Used: Shane Cusack, Tony Whitehead, Colm Murphy, Barry Sheedy, Carel Tiofack.

Booked: Gamble (69), Folan (78), O'Leary (81).
Sendings-Off: S Kelly (90).

UCD: Ger Barron; Gareth Matthews (Michael Kelly, 79), Michael Leahy, Tomas Boyle, David O'Connor; Dean Clarke, Craig Walsh, Robbie Creevy, Sean Russell; Robbie Benson; Samir Belhout (Cillian Morrison, 75). 
Subs not Used: Mark McGinley, Hugh Douglas, Gary Burke, Barry McCabe, Tom O'Halloran.

Booked: Creevy (2), Walsh (89).

Referee: Rob Rogers (Dublin).

Attendance: 847

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Robbie Creevy (UCD).