MSC Report: Limerick 3 - 1 Cobh Wanderers (AET)

Defending champions Limerick FC earned a hard fought three-one victory over Cobh Wanderers in the quarter-final of the Munster Senior Cup at a windswept University of Limerick. Two goals from Garbhan Coughlan along with a goal from Paul O’Connor cancelled out an early opener by Cobh Wanderers’ Martin Deady.

The game burst into life in the fourth minute as Cobh Wanderers took a surprise lead. A long ball by goalkeeper Michael Devine was nodded on by ex- Cork City player Davin O’Neill into the path of ex-Limerick player Martin Deady, who coolly slotted the ball beyond the helpless Freddy Hall. Limerick will be very disappointed with the ease in which Cobh cut through the youthful defensive line for the opener.

Limerick FC responded immediately and in the sixth minute, a Shane Tracey corner was met at the back post by the lively Garbhan Coughlan who saw his header cleared off the line by Cobh Wanderers full-back Eoin Hastings. Five minutes later, Limerick came close again as good build up play between experienced duo Paul O’Conor and Lee-J Lynch resulted in a shot from Garbhan Coughlan who was denied by a brilliant save from Michael Devine on this occasion.

As the first half settled into a pattern, it was clear that Cobh Wanderers were content to allow Limerick to have the ball in deep lying positions while keeping a solid shape. However, the visitors should have doubled their lead on the 20^th minute. Davin O’Neill weaved his way past the challenges of Tony Whitehead and Paudie O’Connor before shooting narrowly wide. Limerick fashioned the last chance of note in the first half on the 25^th minute, when Garbahn Coughlan intercepted a poor pass and fired a low shot wide of the post.

Limerick emerged for the second half in a determined mood. A quick corner between Shane Tracey and Lee-J Lynch allowed the Limerick native to curl a beautiful effort just over the crossbar from the edge of the box. Shane Tracey was involved again on the 62^nd minute as he whipped a cross in the direction of striker Chris Mulhall who steered his effort straight at Michael Devine.

It was evident that Cobh began to tire as the second half wore on and they struggled to escape from their own half. Limerick adopted a more direct route with Chris Mulhall, Ross Mann and Shane Tracey all looking to run in behind the Cobh defence on more than one occasion. Just as many in attendance were beginning to lose belief, Limerick FC equalised in the 78^th minute. Garbhan Coughlan received the ball on the edge of the box and unleashed a powerful low shot into the bottom corner. The Ex-Regional United man looked impressive on his return to Limerick FC and deserved his goal.

Limerick continued to dominate during the last ten minutes and could have won the game at the end of normal time as Lee-J Lynch played a great ball to Chris Mulhall who beat the offside trap but his tame effort was saved by Devine.

Extra-time was certainly the last thing the spectator would have wanted having endured the miserable conditions for 90 minutes. However, Limerick took the lead in the first minute of the second period of extra-time. Ross Mann crossed from the right hand side and Shane Tracey accurately set up Paul O’Conor to smash the ball home from the edge of the box. Limerick added a third in the final minute as Ross Mann skipped away from David Stack and played the ball to Garbhan Coughlan who rifled in his second goal of the game.

Limerick FC will be pleased to have emerged victorious from this game as Cobh proved a very difficult outfit to break down and were ten minutes away from a great victory. It was the perfect test for Martin Russell’s men as it is likely that many opponents in the SSE Airtricity League First Division will adopt a similar approach at the Markets Field this season. Limerick will now face either Cobh Ramblers or College Corinthians in the semi-final.

Limerick FC: Freddy Hall, Tony Whitehead (Liam McCartan 98), Paudie O’Connor, Robbie Williams, Colm Murphy, Paul O’Conor, Shane Tracey, Lee-J Lynch, Ross Mann, Chris Mulhall, Garbhan Coughlan.

Subs Not Used: Tommy Holland, Killian Brouder, Clyde O’Connell, Sean Mcsweeney, Yousef Malady.

Cobh Wanderers: Michael Devine, Eoin Hastings, Eddie Nolan, Brian Fitzgerald, David Stack, Shane Geasley, Kyle Downing, Mikey O’Shea, Martin Deady (Rob Waters 72), Ian Stapleton, Davin O’Neill (Alan O’Flynn 81).

Subs Not Used: Gary Collins, Steve Bruton, Adam Thompson, Owen Kinsella, Shane Hallahan.

Referee: Robert Hennessy

Attendance: 200 (Estimate)

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Garbhan Coughlan (Limerick)