Limerick FC 4 - 1 Mervue United

Mervue United were taught a harsh League of Ireland lesson by Limerick FC at Jackman Park tonight. First half goals from Brian O’ Callaghan and John Tierney gave Limerick a well deserved lead at half time. Second half goals from Jamie Wunsch and Paul Walsh secured the points for the home side, but Mervue scored their first ever League goal after 68 minutes.

A rain soaked Jackman Park wasn’t ideal for a game of football tonight, but both sides began with the intention of playing the ball on the ground. Limerick started the livelier of the two sides as Mervue’s nerves began to show.

Limerick had the main share of possession in the opening twenty minutes and created the best of chances. Paul Cummins nearly opened the scoring in the 12th minute but his shot was pushed wide by Ryan Griffin.

Limerick came close two minutes later when an excellent Martin Deady out-swinging cross was headed over by full back Tommy Barrett. It was a sense of déjà vu from last season for Limerick fans as they created several chances in the early stages but never capitalised on poor Mervue defending. Mervue didn’t pose any sort of attacking threat in the early stages and John Glynn’s side had to wait until the 18th minute to test Limerick goalkeeper Dave Ryan. Former Limerick striker David Goldbey broke through the solid Limerick defence but Dave Ryan was equal to his low effort.

The visitor’s confidence seemed to grow after their first chance and Mervue United began to push further up the field as they looked for that all important opening goal.

It was Mervue’s attacking mind that lead to Limerick’s first goal. As Mervue began to push forward, Limerick capitalised on this and created many chances using the pace of Paul Cummins on the counter attack.

In fact, it was a Paul Cummins effort that lead to the corner which resulted in Brian O’ Callaghan’s opening goal. An excellent corner by full back Martin Deady was met by the head of ex-Cork City defender Brian O’ Callaghan in the 23rd minute.

Limerick began to grow in confidence and began to play some trademark football in front of a vocal home support. A combination of quick thinking by Limerick and poor defending by Mervue, lead to Limerick’s second goal eight minutes before half time.

In-form, John Tierney finished off, what can only be described as a scrappy goal mouth goal in the 37th minute. The finish itself was excellently executed by Tierney but it only fell to him after a series of missed clearances by Mervue United shaky defence.

Limerick led 2-0 at half time and it looked as if there was no way back for Mervue United. Straight from the re-start Limerick picked up where they left off and on 48 minutes Paul Walsh advanced towards the Mervue box and Paul Cummins met his deflected cross only to see his effort go narrowly wide of the target. The lively striker was however, surrounded by three Mervue United defenders who put him under pressure.

Limerick’s determination paid off in the 58th minute when centre back Jamie Wunsch headed home a Martin Keady cross to put the result beyond any doubt. At this stage Mervue heads dropped but John Flynn’s men refused to lie down however as they began to get back into the game. This may have been due to complacency by Limerick FC but Mervue’s never say die attitude was rewarded after 68 minutes.

Centre back Eric Browne recorded Mervue United’s first ever League goal in dramatic style as Mervue capitalised on poor defending by the home side. After a series of poorly cleared crosses and corners by the home side, Eric Browne pounced onto the end of a loose clearance and coolly slotted home to give Mervue a deserved consolation goal.

Mervue nearly got back into the game minutes later but an excellent safe by Limerick’s Dave Ryan kept Limerick’s two goal lead going into the later stages of the game.

Limerick rounded off an excellent performance with 10 minutes to go when Paul Walsh coolly scored a self earned penalty in the 80th minute. A tired looking Mervue United defence backed off from the skilful Paul Walsh and as he skipped past the Mervue defence, he was brought down for a penalty which he finished himself to make it 4-1 to the Shannonsiders.

Limerick FC: Dave Ryan; Tommy Barrett, Jamie Wunsch, Brian O’Callaghan, Martin Deady; Stephen Goggin, Thomas Lyons, Paul Walsh, Paul Cummins, James Hayes; John Tierney.
Subs: Brian Collopy (gk), Eoin O'Brien, Paul Danaher, Brendan Daly, Colm Carroll.

Mervue United: Ryan Griffin; Kenny Farrell, David O’ Brien, Damian O’ Rourke, Eric Browne, Nicky Curran, Garry Traynor, Mike Tierney, David O’ Dowd, David Goldbey, Alex Lee.
Subs: Noel McDonnell, Ger mcGrath, Kevin Crehan, Rory Gaffney, Pat Hoban.

Referee: Keith Callanan

Attendance: 529

Extratime Man of the Match: John Tierney (Limerick FC). He was at the centre of all Limerick’s attacks and got on the score sheet in the first half.