League Report: U.C.D. 1 - 3 Limerick FC

Martin Russell will have enjoyed his first return as a manager to the UCD Bowl as his Limerick side overcame the South Dublin strugglers 3-1 in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division.

Rory Gaffney bagged a brace with a strike either side of the break for the Shannonsiders before Conor Cannon netted for the Students. Hopes of a comeback were halted immediately though as Ian Turner struck to secure victory for the Munster men.  

After what was a very dull opening thirteen minutes to proceedings, it was the in-form Limerick front man who headed them in front.

Lee Lynch played a well weighted pass out to the right hand side, into the path of the galloping on loan Cork midfielder Ian Turner. He took a touch before swinging a perfectly lofted centre to Gaffney.

The Red Rifle rose above fellow amber rooted Hugh Douglas to power his header into the bottom right hand corner, with Conor O’Donnell unable to get even a despairing touch on it.

As he always does, Robbie Benson endeavoured to drag his side back into the affair. Just before the twenty minute mark, he dragged his right footed effort past Barry Ryan.

There was an apparent lack of attacking movement in front of Benson to flourish any escence of a real chance, forcing him to take on the difficult angle.

Limerick under Martin Russell are a much more confident outfit and fifteen minutes from the break, that was on full show.

Patrick Nzuzi saw a well defended header fall to him thirty yards from goal and although his volley dipped well over, it was a show of intent.

Five minutes removed from the oranges and tea, UCD went close to an equaliser. Backed by a considerably vocal personal support, Ayman Ben Mohamed broke into the area before having a low drive expertly footed away by the

ever exuberant and barely tested Barry Ryan.

58 minutes in the predictably leaky Students rear guard was punished once again by the clinical Gaffney.

Again, Lynch was at the heart of the move, breaching the UCD defence with a delightful through ball. Gaffney went outside, and then inside Douglas before drilling a left footed rocket under O’Donnell to double the Shannonsiders advantage.

Just three minutes later, the home side were handed a lifeline after a sweeping move. Ben Mohamed dispossessed Shane Duggan before storming right into the heart of the Limerick defence and slipping through Cannon.

The young striker made no mistake, taking a touch before calmly sweeping a right footed pass into the bottom corner.

Their hope was short lived though, as just one minute later, the man with a brace turned provider for Limerick. Turner beat Ian Ryan all ends up with a pass through to Gaffney.  

The striker cut a pass back across the same Students defender to the aforementioned Turner, and his right footed drive left O’Donnell helpless to deny Martin Russell’s men a third.

UCD pushed for another lifeline, and through Ben Mohamed’s corner, they couldn’t go much closer. The Tunisian winger’s corner was headed towards the bottom corner by Ian Ryan only for Samir Belhout’s follow up header to drag wide from inches out, an impossible miss.

Late on, Benson again went close with a volley from distance but it dipped over as his side look like they might be going under. Now nine games without a win, the Students remain in the relegation play off spot, three points ahead of Athlone.

UCD: Conor O’Donnell; Gareth Matthews, Hugh Douglas (James Kavanagh 68), Ian Ryan, Sean Coyne; Gregory Sloggett (Gary Burke 75), Robbie Creevy; Tim Molloy, Robbie Benson, Ayman Ben Mohamed; Conor Cannon (Samir Belhout 66).
Subs not used: Niall Corbet (GK), Colm Crowe, Tom O’Halloran.

Booked: Matthews (88)

Limerick FC: Barry Ryan; Patrick Nzuzi, Michael Leahy, Robbie Williams, Tony Whitehead 68), Shane O’Connor; Ian Turner, Shane Duggan, Prince Agyemang (Shane Treacy 73), Lee Lynch, Jack Doherty (Kieran Djilali 79); Rory Gaffney.
Subs not used: Ali Abass (gk), Colm Murphy, Thomas McManus, Jason Hughes.

Booked: Doherty (30), Leahy (70)

Referee: Anthony Buttimer (Cork)

Attendance: 149

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Rory Gaffney (Limerick FC)