Limerick FC 0 - 0 Athlone Town

It was scoreless at Jackman Park as Athlone Town and Limerick FC cancelled each other out. In a dramatic finish to the game, Athlone Town were reduced to ten men when goalkeeper John McGuinness brought down John Tierney outside the area. Despite being forced to play with ten men for the remaining 24 minutes, Athlone held out for a well deserved away point.

Athlone were hoping to keep their 100% start to the season but both sides lacked a cutting edge in front of goal. Late chances for Limerick from David Ryan and Paul Walsh nearly secured all three points for the home side but a battling Athlone Town defended well to keep a clean sheet.

With a string of injuries and unavailable players to contend with, Limerick caretaker manager Paul O’ Donnell was forced to send out a changed side from the team that convincingly beat Mervue United last week. With Jason Hughes on international duty, Pat Purcell just back from his honeymoon, Wayne Colbert unavailable and Paul Cummins out with a broken foot, Limerick had it all to do against an in-form Athlone side.

Neither side began the match in a lively fashion and it was obvious from the start that Athlone were going to sit back and try hit Limerick on the break. At the beginning it worked as Limerick pushed forward looking for an opener, Athlone Town used the ferocious pace of Emeka Onwubiko to hit Limerick on the counter attack.

Early chances were few and far between as a combination of poor attacking and solid defending left both goalkeepers with very little to do in the first half.

However, it was Limerick that created the first real chance of the game after 14 minutes. A Martin Deady corner wasn’t fully cleared by the Athlone defence but John McGuinness was equal to John Tierney’s effort from inside the penalty area.

On a poor surface, both sides tried to play football but both teams lacked creatively in midfield to get a bit of good passing together. The rest of the first half was a scrappy affair as both midfields failed to take control of the game. Therefore, it remained scoreless going into half time with little chances to report on.

The second half saw Limerick FC gain control of the game with more possession but they lacked a cutting edge in front of goal. However, it was Limerick’s Paul Walsh and John Tierney that looked the most likely to open the scoring in what was a dull affair so far.

A string of corners for Limerick in the opening minutes of the second half created opportunities but, yet again, Athlone’s defence kept Limerick’s attackers at bay.

Despite Limerick pushing on looking for the opener, Athlone Town came very close to doing so after 56 minutes when Stephen Place headed wide with only David Ryan in goals to beat. The chance came after Athlone hit Limerick on the break using the pace of winger Emeka Onwubiko.

Ten minutes later, the game changed dramatically after Athlone goalkeeper John McGuinness was sent off for being the last man back. Referee Mark Gough sent off McGuinness after he allegedly brought down John Tierney outside of the area, after an excellent through ball from Paul Walsh put John Tierney one on one with McGuinness.

In what seemed like a clash of two players, Gough judged McGuiness as being in the wrong and a red card followed. A resulting free kick from Martin Deady was excellently pushed over by substitute Aaron Shanahan.

Understandably, the red card changed the game as Athlone began to sit back more and defend. However, they continued to counter attack and creative chances of their own which is a credit to Brendan Place and his side.

Minutes after being reduced to ten men, Athlone nearly grabbed the opening goal when Stephan Place connected to an Anthony Hayes pass but his effort landed on top of David Ryan’s goal. Limerick started to take control of the game for the remaining twenty minutes but created very few chances. Paul Walsh was at the centre of Limerick’s attacks but the home side lacked creativity in the final third of the pitch.

In a dramatic finish, Limerick should have grabbed a winner in the 86th minute when substitute Dave Ryan headed over from close range after Paul Danaher did well to get a cross in after beating several Athlone defenders.

Minutes later, Dave Ryan could have been the hero again but his curling effort went just wide of Aaron Shanahan’s far post.

Unsurprisingly, it remained scoreless until the final whistle and this is now the third scoreless draw in a row at Jackman Park between these two sides.

Limerick FC: David Ryan; Jamie Wunsch, Brian O’Callaghan, Paul Danaher, Eoin O’ Brien; Stephen Goggin, Tommy Barrett, Martin Deady, John Tierney, Paul Walsh, Colin Scanlon.
Substitutes: Brian Collopy (gk), David Ryan, Thomas Lyons, James Hayes, Brendan Daly.

Athlone Town: John McGuiness; Robbie Hamm, Thomas McGauly, Kevin Dunne, Des Hope, Brian Cleary, Emeka Onwubiko, Anthony Hayes, Kevin Williamson; Stephen Place, Noel McGee.
Substitutes: Aaron Shanahan (gk), Damien Rushe, Cathal Joyce, Robbie Egan, Jamie Duffy.

Referee: Mark Gough.

Attendance: 

Extratime man of the match: Paul Walsh (Limerick FC) - Limerick’s exciting winger was at the centre of Limerick’s attacks throughout the game.