League Report: Limerick 1 - 1 Bohemians

Tom Clancy reports from the Markets Field

A late Dan Casey goal broke Limerick hearts as Bohemians shared a third draw of the season with the Super Blues at the Markets Field.

Barry Maguire had given Limerick a first half lead before Casey struck to deny Limerick a first win in nine home outings.

Captain Shane Duggan had twice gone close, denied by the reliable Shane Supple minutes after Dan Byrne had stopped him with his head, by the time Maguire broke the deadlock.

Former Dutch under-20 international Maguire pounced on a cross to blast pass Shane Supple, who had been busy throughout a first half dominated by Limerick, just past the half-hour.

After the goal Limerick continued in the attacking vein, Eoin Wearen, playing centre-half and Maguire again firing efforts wide.

The Gypsies showed little in attack in a fast-paced first half, though Dylan Watts was to the fore of everything Bohs did well.

His passing fed Eogahan Stokes and the loanee went close in stoppage time when he steered a cross goalwards.

Brendan Clarke was down smartly to clear the ball, and Limerick held their slender lead at the interval.

A double Bohs substituion inspired a revival, with Watts again going close minutes after the restart, but Limerick enjoyed the better of the chances.

Daniel Kearns tested Supple from distance, while substitute Karl O’Sullivan put the former Ipswich stopper to work with a wonderful solo effort, which was tipped around the post.

Keith Long will be disappointed with his side's effort late on, until they eventually found the net.

The Limerick defence, which included two natural midfielders in Shane Tracy and Wearen, was beaten when Dylan Watts blasted across the area and Casey fired in via the post.

Bohs could have won it in stoppage time as Keith Ward was sent through, but the on-rushing Clarke forced him to fire over.

Limerick: Brendan Clarke; Shaun Kelly (Shane Tracy 63), Eoin Wearen, Tony Whitehead, Kilian Cantwell; Shane Duggan, Conor Clifford, Barry Maguire, Will Fitzgerald (Karl O’Sullivan 76), Daniel Kearns (Colm Walsh-O’Loghlen 80); Mark O’Sullivan.

Subs not used: Tommy Holland (gk), Killian Brouder, Jeff McGowan, Jason Cross.

Booked: Eoin Wearen (84) Karl O’Sullivan (88).

Bohemians: Shane Supple; Derek Pender, Rob Cornwall, Dan Casey, Ian Morris; Dan Byrne (Paddy Kirk 46), Dylan Watts, Paddy Kavanagh (Dinny Corcoran 71), Sean Gannon (Kevin Devaney 46), Keith Ward; Eoghan Stokes.

Subs not used: Sean Bohan (gk), Andy Lyons, JJ Lunney, Danny Grant.

Booked: Dan Casey (50), Ian Morris (52).

Referee: Tomás Connolly.

Attendance: 1,100 (estimate).

Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Dylan Watts (Bohemians).