League Report: Bohemians 0 - 1 Limerick

Limerick FC finally got their first League win of the season after a scrappy 1-0 win over a lacklustre Bohemian FC side at Dalymount Park on Friday night.

The 51^st minute strike from Rory Gaffney after poor judgement from Lee Murphy sent Stuart Taylor’s side back down south as happy as they have been all season.

In contrast, Owen Heary will be disappointed as his side were the dominant force in the early stages of the encounter. Steven Beattie looked as if he was going to be the kingmaker in the game as his marauding runs down the right troubled Robbie Williams who, alongside 1 or 2 of his team mates, can perhaps count themselves lucky that they were not shown a second yellow card and sent for an early shower by referee Derek Tomney.

Beattie first set up Stephen Traynor in the opening ten minutes but the midfielder failed to get enough contact on it after he tried to flick it into the back of the net. Another run from the former UMF Tindastoll man saw the ball break to Kevin Devaney on the edge of the area but his powerful shot was easily saved by Barry Ryan and as the half time whistle approached it looked only a matter of time before Bohs would make the break through.

Bohs continued this in vein at the start of the second half with Traynor once again going close when his goalmouth shot looked to be finding the corner but it somehow trickled wide and it was after that the game turned on its head.

A Limerick corner that looked easy for Lee Murphy to gather but he came and missed the punch. Rory Gaffney had a lot to do but he composed himself, and volleyed into the roof of the net from a very tight angle.

This seemed to knock Bohs for six as it took a while for them to regain their dominance. Limerick looked comfortable for the rest of the game bar a final ten minutes of pressure. In between, though, their behaviour left a lot to be desired with a lot of cynical fouls and blatant time wasting being committed that incurred the wrath of the Bohemians players, staff and fans alike.

As early as the 60^th minute players were taking their time being substituted, while Prince Agyemang was booked for doing so. Craig Curran was lucky to escape a second yellow following a clash with Craig Walsh in the centre circle and Stuart Taylor decided to remove him straight after this which was undoubtedly to his benefit.

A couple of half chances ensued before stoppage time for Bohs. A few corners looked to be heading in and some great defending from Samuel Oji to deny Aidan Price at the back post kept Limerick in the lead and it was enough for them to finally put three points on the board.

Bohemians: Lee Murphy; Derek Pender, Roberto Lopes, Aidan Price, Daniel Byrne; Kevin Devaney (Paddy Kavanagh 63), Darragh Reynor, Stephen Traynor (Jason Byrne 73), Craig Walsh; Dinny Corcoran; Steven Beattie.
Subs not used: Dean Delany (gk), Ryan McEvoy, Philip McCabe, Keith Buckley, Dave Mulcahy.

Booked: None.

Limerick FC: Barry Ryan; Shaun Kelly, Sam Oji, Stephen Folan, Robbie Williams; Jason Hughes, Rory Gaffney, Shane Duggan (Patrick Nzuzi 65), Prince Agyemang (James McGrath 62), Shane Tracy; Craig Curran (Tam McManus 85).
Subs not used: Shane Cusack (gk), Garbhan Coughlan, Darragh Rainsford, Tony Whitehead.

Booked: Williams (38), Curran (49), Hughes (52), Agyemang (61), Nzuzi ((0+4), Oji (90+5).

Referee: Derek Tomney

Attendance: 1,126