League Report: Dundalk 1 - 0 Limerick FC

SSE Airtricity League champions Dundalk continued their winning start to the new season with a hard fought 1-0 win over a plucky Limerick side at Oriel Park on Friday night.

A sensational strike from Patrick McEleney was the difference between the two sides as Dundalk made it three wins from three though Limerick and Martin Russell will draw many positives from what they witnessed.

Dundalk almost took the lead as early as the first minute when Limerick midfielder Stephen Kenny fouled the in-form McEleney, who floated the resulting free-kick into the box but Robbie Benson diverted his headed effort wide.

The hosts had the better of the early stages and Jamie McGrath was next to try his luck when he turned Tommy Robson inside out before hitting the side netting, though Dundalk were adamant Freddy Hall had got a touch to it but no corner was given.

Limerick weathered that early storm and eventually settled into the game as Shaun Kelly’s delightful cross found its way to Rodrigo Tosi, whose header was saved by Gabriel Sava. And the Dundalk netminder was again on hand to save from the resulting corner by Paul O’Conor.

Dundalk, and in particular McEleney, started to stamp their authority on proceedings and the Derry native weaved his way past four Limerick players to win a corner though Benson’s effort sailed well over the bar.

Michael Duffy was next to try his luck but he too fired over following a neat interchange between Benson and Ciaran Kilduff.

The Lilywhites took the lead just after the half-hour mark with an early contender for goal of the season and it was that man McEleney who outrageously curled a 30-yard effort into the top corner, giving Bermuda international Hall absolutely no chance in the Limerick goal.

There was time for one more chance before the interval when Kilduff teed up McGrath whose rasping shot was too hot to handle for Hall. He spilled it back into the path of McGrath but his second effort was blocked.

Dundalk created another decent opening shortly after the restart when Sean Gannon’s cross almost found Kilduff but was cut out by Hall.

McEleney, tipped by many to be Dundalk’s key player this season, again turned provider when he found Benson who scampered forward in typical fashion before unleashing a shot which went agonisingly wide of the left-hand post.

The hosts were unable to kill off a spirited Limerick side however and endured a nervy last 20 minutes with substitute Ian Turner finding Tosi, though his header was straight at Sava and the Brazilian also saw an effort saved by the Dundalk goalkeeper.

Limerick frantically pushed for that elusive equaliser and won a corner deep into stoppage time as Hall surged into the box and the Limerick goalkeeper almost rescued a point for the visitors, as he headed wide but that was the final piece of action and Dundalk held on to maintain their 100% start to the new season.

Dundalk: Gabriel Sava; Sean Gannon, Brian Gartland, Paddy Barrett, Niclas Vemmelund; Jamie McGrath (John Mountney 66), Conor Clifford, Robbie Benson, Michael Duffy (Chris Shields 81); Patrick McEleney, Ciaran Kilduff (Thomas Stewart 74).

Subs not used: Ben Kelly (gk), Dane Massey, Steven Kinsella, David McMillan.

Booked: Conor Clifford (80), Niclas Vemmelund (90).

Limerick: Freddy Hall; Shaun Kelly, Tony Whitehead, Robbie Williams, Tommy Robson; Stephen Kenny (Ian Turner 61), Paul O’Conor (Garbhan Coughlan 77), Shane Duggan, Dean Clarke (Chiedozie Ogbene 82); Lee J Lynch, Rodrigo Tosi.

Subs not used: Brendan Clarke (gk), Killian Brouder, Bastien Hery, Chris Mulhall.

Booked: Shaun Kelly (6), Stephen Kenny (58).

Referee: Robert Harvey.

Attendance: 3,286

ExtraTime.ie Man of the Match: Patrick McEleney (Dundalk)