Friendly Report: Limerick 3 - 1 Galway United

Limerick FC recorded their first win from five pre-season friendly fixtures by defeating Galway United 3-1 at a mild Markets Field on Saturday evening.

Second half goals for Robbie Williams and Shane Duggan won the day for the home side after Seamus Sharkey cancelled out Vinny Faherty's early opener.

Both teams struggled to impose themselves on the game and there were no chances created as sloppy passing was prevalent in the early stages.

However, approaching the quarter hour mark, ex-Limerick player Faherty returned to haunt his former club as he found acres of room to slot the ball past Freddy Hall despite weak Limerick appeals for offside.

Galway’s lead did not last long as Limerick forced a corner five minutes later, from which former Derry City centre-back Sharkey rose highest to bury the ball past the helpless Conor Winn.

The Super Blues began to gain a foothold after that goal with midfielders Duggan and Paul O’Conor creating space for wingers Chris Mulhall and Stephen Kenny to isolate their opposing full backs.

On the stroke of half time, the Shannonsiders should have taken the lead. A poor pass by Marc Ludden was intercepted by new signing Aaron Greene, who performed a reverse pass for veteran John O’Flynn to fire wide from eight yards.

Limerick started the second half brightly and went in front within five minutes of the restart. Again, it was a set piece which caused problems for the Tribesmen as Robbie Williams nodded home from a Shane Tracey corner kick from the right hand side.

The home side were totally dominant at this stage and could have extended their advantage as Shane Tracy’s free-kick went narrowly over from 20 yards out.

The visitors’ first chance of the second half came with twenty minutes remaining and they should have equalised, only for an alert Hall to quickly close down the onrushing substitute Ruairi Keating, who had been played through by captain Ryan Connolly.

Following that scare, the hosts regained control and good interplay between Greene, Kyle McLeod and Duggan, resulted in the latter firing over the bar. In response, Faherty managed to produce a decent save from former teammate Hall, as his low drive was tipped around the post by the Super Blues goalkeeper.

With ten minutes left to play, a lung bursting run by McLeod was rewarded as Garbhan Coughlan’s shot hit the post, but Duggan was there to coolly finish into the bottom corner to end the tie as a contest.

After Duggan’s goal, the game petered out as both teams introduced two substitutes. The victory over their Premier Division opponents will give Limerick massive confidence heading into their first game of the season at home to UCD.

In contrast, Tommy Dunne will be slightly concerned with his team’s performance so close to the beginning of the new campaign. The Tribesmen begin with a trip to a new look St. Patrick’s Athletic outfit, hoping to avoid a relegation dogfight this time around.

Limerick FC: Freddy Hall (Tommy Holland 83), Liam McCartan, Seamus Sharkey, Robbie Williams (Killian Brouder 74), Shane Tracey, Paul O’Conor, Shane Duggan (Clyde O’Connell 83), Aaron Greene, Stephan Kenny (Kyle Mcleod 61), Chris Mulhall (Jordan Moore 61), John O’Flynn (Garbhan Coughlan 46).

Subs not used: Shane Costelloe, Ross Mann.

Booked: None.

Galway United: Conor Winn, Colm Horgan, Stephan Folan, Paul Sinnott, Marc Ludden, Gary Shanahan (Enda Curran 71), John Sullivan (Eric Foley 83), Killian Cantwell, Ryan Connolly, Kevin Devaney (Ruairi Keating 61), Vinny Faherty (Padraic Cunningham 83).

Subs not used: Kevin Horgan, Stephan Walsh, Cormac Raftery, Conor Melody, Evan Murphy, Jesse Devers, Aaron Dillon.

Booked: Killian Cantwell (41).

Referee: Padraig Sutton.

Attendance: 350 (estimate).

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Shane Duggan (Limerick).