Report: Kildare County 1-2 Limerick 37

Limerick 37 secured their first away win of the season with a dramatic 2-1 over Kildare County in Station Road last night. Kildare, who were looking for their first win of the season, will feel hard done by after a late James Hayes header snatched all three points for Limerick.

Even at such an early stage of the season, this game was seen as a must win for both teams. While Limerick’s home form has been excellent so far this season, they only managed one point away from home, while rock bottom Kildare have not managed to secure a single point at home prior to this encounter.

With this in mind both sides began the game nervously with both defences being forced into mistakes early on in the game. The home side were the livelier of the two in the opening minutes and the most likely to take an early lead. Mike Kerley’s side withheld the pressure from Kildare for the opening 20 minutes but they created very little chances themselves.

Kildare will feel extremely unlucky not to go ahead in the first 20 minutes after their domination of possession and determination. Several chances went very close to becoming the opening goal for Kildare. The most significant of those chances came after 18 minutes when a Colin Fortune free kick met the head of on-loan striker Ciaran Kilduff. His glancing header beat Limerick’s Dave Ryan but Kilduff could only watch his header strike the post as Tommy Barrett scrambled back to put Limerick out of danger.

Kildare’s attacking style and pressure paid off after 24 minutes of play when a low pass was played to John Broderick who beat his man to send in a dangerous cross into the Limerick penalty area. Kildare winger Cathal Brady capitalised on Dave Ryan’s mistake as he latched onto Broderick’s out swinging cross to slot the ball past Ryan.

After the opening goal Kildare began to sit back and soak up the pressure. Kildare defended well as it was Limerick’s turn to have possession. John Ryan’s side began to defend deeper as the first half progressed. Limerick began to create chances as both Willie Bruton and Derek McCarthy went close to beating Treacy but it remained Kildare 1-0 Limerick. It seemed as if Kildare County would take this lead into the half time break but this was not to be.

In what was the best touch of the game was the last touch of the first half as Limerick captain Tommy Barrett equalised with a stunning 40-yard strike as Kildare goalkeeper Treacy could only stand up and watch. Centre-half Tommy Barrett intercepted a mislaid pass in Limerick’s half. As the Kildare defence began to fall deeper and deeper Barrett saw the opportunity and pushed forward from defence to the centre of the field. Next he shot from well outside the Kildare penalty area to make it 1-1 going into half time.

Limerick picked up the pace at the beginning of the second half and created more goal scoring opportunity. During the early stages of the second half the away side looked the more likely to come away with the full points. Kildare had other ideas as they pressed forward again looking for that all important second goal.

Despite Limerick’s domination in the early stages of the second half, Kildare County began to apply the pressure again. Paul Donnelly came closest for Kildare but Dave Ryan got down to save both of his efforts. Kildare’s Gorman was unlucky not to put Kildare in front as his effort on 52 minutes was pushed out for a corner by Ryan.

It seemed as if Kildare were the likeliest to score, but they experienced the cruelty of football at its best as Limerick caught them on the break to get the winner after 67 minutes. Substitute Ross Cosgrave skilfully beat his marker and crossed for James Hayes who headed home to make to 2-1 to the visitors.

Credit should be given where it is due and Limerick manager Mike Kerley will be seen as the man who changed the game in Limerick’s favour. He decided to bring on Padraig Fogerty and Ross Cosgrave after 52 minutes and 63 minutes respectively. Both Fogerty and Cosgrave played integral parts in the build up to Limerick’s winner.

Kildare’s confidence seemed to drop after Limerick’s second goal. They pushed forward looking for the equaliser as Kilduff was unlucky when his header hit the woodwork after 78 minutes gone. The last 10 minutes were very open as both teams pushed forward, it was the visitors who had the better chances in the remaining minutes. Either Willie Bruton or Ross Cosgrave could have added to Kildare’s misery in the latter stages.

Yet again, Kildare manager John Ryan will feel his side came away from a game without getting what they deserved for their efforts. Kildare enjoyed longer periods of possession but Limerick were more lethal in front of goal and took their chances well. Limerick climbed to 5th while Kildare remain rock bottom./

Kildare County: Charlie Treacy; Alan Clarke, Michael Roach, John Brophy, Barry Clancy (Ger Robinson 72); John Broderick (Craig Mooney 59), Paul Donnelly, Colin Fortune, Cathal Brady; Philip Gorman, Ciaran Kilduff.

Limerick 37: David Ryan; Peter White, Paul Danaher, Tommy Barrett, Brian Cleary; James Hayes, Jonathan Grant (Padraig Fogarty 52), Brendan Daly, Chimba Manjor (Donal Curtin 87); Derek McCarthy (Ross Cosgrave 63), Willie Bruton.

Referee: Darren Coombes (Dublin).
Attendance: 92
Extratime Man of the Match: Tommy Barrett – Scored a contender for goal of the season and he was the heart of the Limerick defence throughout the game.