Friendly Report: Limerick FC 0 - 2 Dundalk

Limerick FC suffered a loss for the second time in a week as they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of champions Dundalk at the University of Limerick on Saturday night. 

Both clubs were playing their third official friendly of the pre-season period having endured contrasting results thus far.

Coming into the game, Dundalk had easily dispatched of both Cliftonville and Waterford United whereas Limerick came into the game off the back of a 2-0 loss to Bray Wanderers.

The task Limerick faced was difficult , especially considering they were without first team regulars Paul O’Conor, Lee- J Lynch and Shaun Kelly against a full strength Dundalk outfit.

During the opening exchanges, both sides enjoyed spells of possession without creating any chances of note. In the fourth minute, former UCD playmaker Robbie Benson took a shot from the edge of the box which travelled harmlessly wide of Freddy Hall’s goal.

Dundalk pressed Limerick all over the pitch with Robbie Benson and Patrick McEleney playing in behind lone striker Ciaran Kilduff. Stephan O’Donnell sat in a defensive position and the captain looked very comfortable throughout the game.

In the 20^th minute the visitors should have taken the lead. Limerick full-back Tony Whitehead surrendered possession to Stephan O’Donnell, who in turn played a through ball to the impressive Sean Gannon who fired wide from ten yards out from inside the penalty area.

Dundalk began to dominate from this moment on and the Blues struggled to keep the ball in the opposition half for any length of time. The front trio of Chris Mulhall, Guillermo Torres and Stephan Kenny struggled immensely against the physical and hard-working Dundalk defence.

Just after the half hour mark, Dundalk were awarded a free-kick at the edge of the box but McEleney smashed his effort straight at Hall in the Limerick goal. Limerick’s only chance of the half arrived on the 39^th minute, as Shane Tracey forced a great save from Gary Rogers with a free-kick from 25 yards out.

As the half-time whistle was edging closer, Dundalk created the best chance of the half as the overlapping Shane Grimes drilled the ball across the six-yard box, but Kilduff could only divert his effort over the crossbar.

Dundalk began the second half at a ferocious pace and a McEleney shot was saved by Hall immediately after the restart. However, McEleney had an even better chance three minutes later as he intercepted a Robbie Williams pass but struck a poor effort wide.

The pressure was certainly building and it appeared like it was only a matter of time before the Lilywhites would open their account.

The inevitable occurred on the 56^th minute as Darren Meenan switched the ball to right-back Gannon, who skipped past Colm Murphy before sending a low cross for Kilduff to finish the move from six yards out.

Dundalk doubled their lead on the 70^th minute as Brian Gartland met a John Moutney corner and finished with a right footed shot at the second attempt after the initial header was blocked.

Limerick failed to test Rogers in the second period as the visitors upped the tempo. However, Ross Mann was very positive in attack after his introduction which will please Martin Russell.

With eight minutes remaining Dundalk created the game’s final chance when a quick corner from Dave Macmillan to Chris Shields resulted in the latter forcing a great save from Hall with a curling shot.

This game was a timely test for both Limerick and Dundalk as both sides have ambitions of winning the SSE Airtricity League First Division and Premier Division respectively.

On the basis of this game, it is clear that the drive and quality which led Dundalk to win back to back league titles has not diminished. They played with urgency throughout and worked incredibly hard to close Limerick down, particularly in the midfield area where Shane Duggan and Shane Tracey found it difficult to create space.

Limerick FC will be quite happy with their display against the team currently the top side in the country, restricting the champions for much of the game, and the Blues will look at this game as a positive experience heading into the new season.

Limerick FC: Freddy Hall; Tony Whitehead (Liam McCartan 45), Paudie O’Connor, Robbie Williams, Colm Murphy; Chris Mulhall, Shane Tracy, Shane Duggan © (Shane Lowth 88), Stephan Kenny (Ross Mann 52), Garbhan Coughlan (Clyde O’Connell 73); Guillermo Torres (Shane Costelloe 80).

Subs not used: Tommy Holland, Killian Brouder.

Dundalk: Gary Rogers; Sean Gannon. Brian Gartland, Paddy Barrett (Andy Boyle 45), Shane Grimes (George Poynton 45); John Moutney, Stephan O’Donnell ©, Patrick McEleney (Ronan Finn 64), Robbie Benson (Chris Shields 64), Darren Meenan (Ciaran O’Connor 68); Ciaran Kilduff (Dave Macmillan 64).

Subs not used: Gabriel Sava.

Referee: Padraig Sutton

Attendance: 200 (Estimate)

ExtraTime.ie Man of the Match: Sean Gannon (Dundalk)