Limerick FC 0 - 0 U.C.D
Credit:
UCD were held to a scoreless draw at Jackman Park tonight against a resilient Limerick. Martin Russell’s side needed a win to keep their place at the summit of the First Division but Waterford now occupy that position after tonight’s results.
Pat Scully’s side started the better of the two sides but Limerick’s opening domination didn’t show on the score line.
Early chances from John Tierney and Thomas Lyons left UCD goalkeeper Gerard Barron on his toes. After 7 minutes, John Tierney nearly got Limerick off to a perfect start but his close range effort was pushed over by Barron.
Limerick nearly opened the deadlock with the resulting corner but Thomas Lyons effort narrowly went wide of UCD’s goal after he volleyed in a crowded penalty area. The home side nearly made the best possible start but a combination of solid defending and excellent goalkeeping keep Limerick at bay.
Minutes later, John Tierney was presented with a perfect opportunity at the edge of the UCD penalty area but his effort with sailing over the bar with sighs of relief from the UCD defence.
Limerick’s first half performance was hampered by injuries to two of their key players John Tierney and captain Pat Purcell. It remained scoreless until half time as both goalkeepers were made to work.
The second half saw UCD turn things around in terms of possession and creating chances. During half time, Martin Russell changed his sides positioning and this change seemed to have a positive impact on UCD.
Limerick were now resulting to hitting UCD on the break and in the 56th minute, substitute Paul Cummins came close but his effort was pushed wide by Gerard Barron.
In the 63rd minute, UCD nearly snatched an opener when slack defending from Limerick gave David McMillan an opportunity but his effort was equal to Limerick goalkeeper David Ryan.
In the 73rd minute, UCD introduced Timmy Purcell for the tired looking Ciaran Kilduff and he came close minutes after his introduction but yet again UCD could not break the deadlock.
Towards the end of the second half, Limerick upped the tempo and the Shannonsiders nearly got a late winner with a counter attack. Paul Cummins and Thomas Lyons combined to break away after a UCD corner. A perfect through ball met Paul Walsh who was pushed wide by Andrew Boyle. Just as the opportunity looked to be falling from the grasps of Walsh, the young winger looked to chip Gerard Barron as he scrambled back to his goals only to see the ball hit the roof of the hit to his relief.
After such a high tempo game, both sides feared defeat and in the remaining minutes it became a battle of the two defences and both sides began to sit back and counter attack. It remained scoreless and both UCD and Limerick will be satisfied with tonight’s result as both sides had equal opportunities and possession. Next up for Pat Scully’s side is a difficult trip to Terryland to take on new boys Mervue United while UCD look to bounce back to the summit of the league with a vital home clash with promotion rivals Sporting Fingal.
Limerick FC: David Ryan, Brendan Daly, Pat Purcell, Brian O’ Callaghan, Martin Deady, Paul Walsh, Jason Hughes, Jamie Wunsch, Shane Tracey, John Tierney, Thomas Lyons. Used substitutes: Tommy Barrett, Colin Scanlon, Paul Cummins. Unused substitutes: Brian Collopy, David Ryan.
U.C.D: Gerard Barron, Brian Shortall, Ciaran Nangle, Andrew Boyle, Evan McMillan, Robbie Creevy, John Reilly, Ronan Finn, Ciaran Kilduff, David McMillan, Chris Mulhall. Used substitutes: , Timmy Purcell, Keith Ward, Peter McMahon. Unused substitutes: Billy Brennan, Mike Kelly. Referee: D. Coombes Attendance: 534 Extratime.ie man of the match: Thomas Lyons.
Pat Scully’s side started the better of the two sides but Limerick’s opening domination didn’t show on the score line.
Early chances from John Tierney and Thomas Lyons left UCD goalkeeper Gerard Barron on his toes. After 7 minutes, John Tierney nearly got Limerick off to a perfect start but his close range effort was pushed over by Barron.
Limerick nearly opened the deadlock with the resulting corner but Thomas Lyons effort narrowly went wide of UCD’s goal after he volleyed in a crowded penalty area. The home side nearly made the best possible start but a combination of solid defending and excellent goalkeeping keep Limerick at bay.
Minutes later, John Tierney was presented with a perfect opportunity at the edge of the UCD penalty area but his effort with sailing over the bar with sighs of relief from the UCD defence.
Limerick’s first half performance was hampered by injuries to two of their key players John Tierney and captain Pat Purcell. It remained scoreless until half time as both goalkeepers were made to work.
The second half saw UCD turn things around in terms of possession and creating chances. During half time, Martin Russell changed his sides positioning and this change seemed to have a positive impact on UCD.
Limerick were now resulting to hitting UCD on the break and in the 56th minute, substitute Paul Cummins came close but his effort was pushed wide by Gerard Barron.
In the 63rd minute, UCD nearly snatched an opener when slack defending from Limerick gave David McMillan an opportunity but his effort was equal to Limerick goalkeeper David Ryan.
In the 73rd minute, UCD introduced Timmy Purcell for the tired looking Ciaran Kilduff and he came close minutes after his introduction but yet again UCD could not break the deadlock.
Towards the end of the second half, Limerick upped the tempo and the Shannonsiders nearly got a late winner with a counter attack. Paul Cummins and Thomas Lyons combined to break away after a UCD corner. A perfect through ball met Paul Walsh who was pushed wide by Andrew Boyle. Just as the opportunity looked to be falling from the grasps of Walsh, the young winger looked to chip Gerard Barron as he scrambled back to his goals only to see the ball hit the roof of the hit to his relief.
After such a high tempo game, both sides feared defeat and in the remaining minutes it became a battle of the two defences and both sides began to sit back and counter attack. It remained scoreless and both UCD and Limerick will be satisfied with tonight’s result as both sides had equal opportunities and possession. Next up for Pat Scully’s side is a difficult trip to Terryland to take on new boys Mervue United while UCD look to bounce back to the summit of the league with a vital home clash with promotion rivals Sporting Fingal.
Limerick FC: David Ryan, Brendan Daly, Pat Purcell, Brian O’ Callaghan, Martin Deady, Paul Walsh, Jason Hughes, Jamie Wunsch, Shane Tracey, John Tierney, Thomas Lyons. Used substitutes: Tommy Barrett, Colin Scanlon, Paul Cummins. Unused substitutes: Brian Collopy, David Ryan.
U.C.D: Gerard Barron, Brian Shortall, Ciaran Nangle, Andrew Boyle, Evan McMillan, Robbie Creevy, John Reilly, Ronan Finn, Ciaran Kilduff, David McMillan, Chris Mulhall. Used substitutes: , Timmy Purcell, Keith Ward, Peter McMahon. Unused substitutes: Billy Brennan, Mike Kelly. Referee: D. Coombes Attendance: 534 Extratime.ie man of the match: Thomas Lyons.
About David Byrne
is a freelance sports reporter based in Limerick who has been following the League of Ireland for as long as he can remember. As an avid Limerick supporter his earliest memory of the League was … View Full Profile