League Report: Limerick 0 - 2 Waterford

Tom Clancy reports from the Market's Field

Waterford maintained their impressive start to the season with a 2-0 victory over Limerick. Goals from Courtney Duffus and captain Paul Keegan either side of the break were enough to dismiss struggling Limerick.

The Super Blues made one change, with Barry Maguire making his first start for the club. Tommy Barrett played a different shape, going with a 3-5-2 formation from the outset.

The change in shape appeared to benefit Will Fitzgerald. It was Fitzgerald who wasted the first clear opening of the game. The teenager, who paired up front with Connor Ellis, raced onto a quick Shaun Kelly free-kick before firing straight and Lawrence Vigouroux, when he looked odds on to score.

The hosts were made to pay for their miss when Duffus fired Alan Reynold’s side ahead. He was fed by Gavan Holohan after Limerick conceded possession far too easily in the centre of the park. The English attacker fired low beyond Brendan Clarke to notch his fourth goal of the season.

To their credit, the home side committed plenty of bodies forward throughout. Captain Shane Duggan was denied by a wonderful Vigouroux save. After utilising a right-wing overlap, Shane Duggan found time to drill a shot from the penalty spot, which the former pushed away before his defence eventually scrambled clear the rebound. Duggan was busy during the opening half  and was involved in multiple tussles with Stanley Aborah.

Gavan Holohan and Bastien Hery appeared a gear above anything Limerick offered, the pair linked well throughout, though Holohan was eventually replaced through injury.

The Suirsiders could have killed any home hope moments before the halftime whistle when Bastien Hery carved the home defence open. His wonderful pass found Holohan, but the Kilkenny native was unable to steer is low-left-foot effort on target, to the relief of the on-rushing Brendan Clarke.

The second half saw a notable drop in tempo, particularly from Limerick who had appeared short of ideas and quality in the final third. The first chance fell to Holohan at the back post. His weak connection allowed Clarke to scramble a clearance, as Waterford cranked up the pressure.

Duffus pounced on a poor Tony Whitehead touch but he was unable to finish, despite his best Thierry Henry impression, firing straight at Clarke.

Jeff McGowan was introduced with a dozen minutes remaining, but the attacker was booked immediately, for simulation in the area following a long throw from Fitzgerald. Limerick failed to muster any clear openings in the second half.

Holohan passed up another glorious chance after some Bastien Hery magic, this time Holohan headed over from the Frenchman’s cross.

Keegan made no mistake from the spot with six minutes remaining. The veteran skipper stepped up following a foul on Ismahil Akinade by Tony Whitehead. The defender got caught on the wrong side and Ben Connolly had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Limerick struggled with the presence of Duffus, while Akinade stretched tired legs in the final quarter.  

Dave Webster was denied a headed goal when a combination of a post and defender kept the ball out.

Limerick move on to an EA Sports Cup clash with Cobh Ramblers on Monday, and remain eight, Waterford remain third, and entertain Cork City on Monday, also in the League Cup.

Limerick: Brendan Clarke; Kilian Cantwell, Tony Whitehead, Darren Dennehy (Killian Brouder ht); Billy Dennehy, Shaun Kelly, Barry Maguire (Karl O’Sullivan 61), Shane Duggan ©, William Fitzgerald; Connor Ellis (Jeff McGowan 78)
Subs not used: Tommy Holland, Henry Cameron, Shane Tracy, Colm Walsh-O’Loghlen.
Booked: McGowan (78), Whitehead (83)

Waterford: Lawrence Vigouroux, John Kavanagh, Kenny Browne, David Webster, Dylan Barnett; Bastien Hery, Stanley Aborah, Gavan Holohan (Derek Daly 88), Paul Keegan; John Martin (Izzy Akinade 65), Courtney Duffus (Sander Puri 83)

Subs Not Used: Niall Corbet, Garry Comerford, Faysell Kasmi, Dean Walsh.

Booked: Duffus (57)

Referee: Tomás Connolly

Attendance: 1,122

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Courtney Duffus (Waterford)