League Report: Galway United 1 - 3 Limerick

Limerick came to Eamonn Deacy Park and claimed what could be a very important three points in their battle to stay in the Premier Division as two Vinny Flaherty goals and an Ian Turner strike saw them prevail in this relegation tussle. 

Limerick should have been in front inside the opening minute in a dramatic start to the game after Stephen Walsh’s back pass was completely mishit by keeper Connor Winn and Vinny Flaherty should have tap home but the home keeper somehow recovered to push the ball away and off the line.

Flaherty did return the ball into the danger area but Walsh blocked that effort away from the target.

Ian Turner then headed just past the far post following a good delivery into the box ,while Enda Curran played in Gary Shanahan, but he hit a very weak effort at Freddy Hall who saved with relative ease after just six minutes.

Dean Clarke headed straight at Winn from a good right wing delivery from Ian Turner before Limerick hit the front as Galway native Vinny Flaherty scored the first of two on the night against his home town.

A poor ball inside from Galway full back Colm Horgan on 17 minutes was picked up by Vinny Faherty and he turned brilliantly before picking his spot and curling the ball into the far corner past Winn to put Limerick in front and more than make up for his very early miss.

Galway should have been level a minute later when Jake Keegan put a great ball into the box from the left but once again Gary Shanahan couldn’t apply the finish as his effort was blocked on the line by two Limerick defenders.

Dean Clarke then curled an effort at the far post in an attempt to double Limerick’s lead but Winn got a touch on it to push it away for a corner with referee David McKeon pointed for a goal kick to the dismay of the visiting side.

More Limerick pressure saw Paul O’Connor’s effort deflecting away for a corner after some good play with Sam Oji hacking the corner delivery over his own crossbar on 37 minutes.

On the restart Galway looked to have upped their game somewhat as Ryan Connolly swung in a free-kick to the back post which was headed away by Vinny Flaherty under the post with Stephen Walsh lurking to head home.

The hosts continued to press forcing a number of corners with some good passing play as David O’Leary fired an effort from the edge of the box just off target six minutes later.

Galway drew level as another corner from Ryan Connolly wasn’t dealt with by Limerick and as the ball flew around the box with a couple of Galway headers blocked before Sam Oji finally headed into the corner just before the hour mark.

Limerick though responded to regain the lead just five minutes later as Ian Turner did brilliantly in the Galway box with some neat play before firing past Connor Winn to restore the visitors lead as the home side went to sleep completely.

Turner forced a good low save from Winn before Ryan Connolly fired a very ambitious first time effort from distance with Freddy Hall out of position but the ball flew wide of post.

Limerick wrapped up the points with ten minutes remaining as Ian Turner found himself completely free on the right and he crossed into the box for Galway native Vinny Faherty to beat Connor Winn with a diving header for his second of the game.

Galway offered very little after that as Limerick comfortably claimed the vital points as their remarkable second half season continues, while Galway are still deep in that relegation battle needing something from their final three games to avoid the drop back to First Division football.

Galway United: Connor Winn; Colm Horgan, Stephen Walsh, Sam Oji, Marc Ludden; Gary Shanahan Paul Sinnott (Andy O'Connell 78), Ryan Connolly, David O’Leary; Jake Keegan, Enda Curran (Conor Melody 41).  

Subs Not Used: Ger Hanley (GK), Cormac Rafftery, Conor Barry, Tomi Saarelma, , Aaran McConnell

Booked: Connolly (27), Shanahan (31), Ludden (60), Walsh (66).

Limerick FC: Freddy Hall; Shaun Kelly, Patrick Kanyuka, Robbie Williams, Sean Russell; Shane Duggan, Lee-J Lynch, Ian Turner, Paul O’Connor; Dean Clarke (Darragh Rainsford 84), Vinny Faherty (Ross Mann 90)

Subs Not Used: Tommy Holland (GK), Tony Whitehead, Prince Agyemang, Val Feeney, Paudie O’Connor.

Booked: Robbie Williams (27), Shane Duggan (54)

Referee: David McKeon (Dublin).

Attendance: 1,525.

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Vinny Faherty (Limerick FC) – The Galway native may not be popular in his home town but he scored two and made a vital clearance also in the game.