Report: Dundalk 0 - 2 Limerick 37

Goals from Paul Walshe and Gary Sheehan inflicted a second defeat in the space of just six days on promotion hopefuls Dundalk, who tamely rolled over to allow Limerick 37 to record a comfortable 2-0 victory at Oriel Park on Thursday evening. The visitors were on the front foot from the get-go as Walshe volleyed home early on following a mistake from Ian Ryan, before Sheehan sealed the win with a cool finish late in the game.

Ryan’s misplaced pass after only three minutes gave Limerick the initiative, as, after Sheehan saw his first effort blocked by Chris Bennion and his second come back off the crossbar, Walshe finished powerfully to the net from ten-yards. On a night of few openings, Dundalk’s best chances both fell to Jamie Duffy, who shot inches wide moments before the break, before being denied by a superb Dave Ryan save on the hour. And, Limerick capitalised on those let-offs three minutes from time, as Sheehan netted himself a deserved goal after the home defence parted like the red sea.

For the Shannonsiders, it was their second successive win at Oriel Park, having also recorded a 2-0 victory at the venue last October. On that night, they ended Dundalk’s long unbeaten home run which had started eighteen months earlier, and this time they delivered what manager John Gill described as a massive dent in the Lilywhites’ title hopes. Easily the team’s most disappointing performance of the season, this came on the back of arguably their best display of the campaign last weekend - a fact which makes the puzzle impossible to solve.

For the game, Gill welcomed back goalkeeper Chris Bennion from suspension, with the Scot coming straight back into the side in place of Aaron Shanahan. That was one of three changes to the side which started in Waterford last Friday night, as suspended midfielder David Cassidy was replaced by Paul Crowley, while left-back David Crawley returned from a ban at the expense of Shane Grimes. As well as being minus Cassidy, Gill was forced to plan without captain Aidan Lynch (calf), vice-captain John Flanagan (suspension) and striker Robbie Farrell (knee).

As the game got underway, Dundalk got off to the worst possible start, as they conceded their earliest goal of the season. A quickly taken free-kick by Paul Marney landed at the feet of Ian Ryan, who turned and left his pass to David Crawley (no, not Chris Bennion) short. That allowed Gary Sheehan to steal in, and, after he was denied by a good Bennion block and then the crossbar, the in-rushing Paul Walshe volleyed to the net past desperate last-ditch efforts from Bennion and Crawley.

After that, the entertainment value was nil, as another opening didn’t arrive until 35 minutes. When it did, however, it was almost worth waiting for. A wonderful flowing move involving Marney, Ben Whelehan, Paul Shiels and Jamie Duffy set Paul Crowley free down the right wing, however, his perfect cross for the arriving Trevor Vaughan was headed wide from 12-yards.

Shortly before the break, Dundalk again threatened, and came within inches of finding the net once more. Whelehan pumped a free-kick from the halfway line into the box, where Paul Crowley rose highest to flick the ball on. However, a smart turn and volley from Duffy failed to get the reward it deserved, as the winger’s effort went agonisingly wide of Ryan’s right-hand post. Moments later, Robbie Martin found himself in behind the defence following a neat one-two between Shiels and Vaughan. However, he too couldn’t find the net as his shot was gathered by the ‘keeper.

Following the resumption, Dundalk again started slowly, and Limerick almost made it 2-0 on 54 minutes. A long ball forward by the visiting netminder wasn’t dealt with by Ryan, as Sheehan once again gained possession from the defender’s error. This time, however, the Blues couldn’t take advantage, as Sheehan, with just Bennion to beat, fired narrowly wide. Less than 15 seconds later, Limerick were almost in again, as Bennion rushed from his goal only to be beaten to the ball by Sheehan. From a very tight angle, however, the striker couldn’t find the target.

On 55 minutes, Vaughan saw his long-range free-kick gathered by Ryan, before Dundalk created their best chance of the night just shy of the hour-mark. Davie O’Connor stole possession from Wayne Colbert and then easily beat Brendan Daly down the left, before delivering a superb ball to the back post for Duffy. However, despite connecting well, the 24-year-old saw his effort from six-yards somehow put behind by the feet of the ‘keeper, as Limerick survived a major let-off.

On 70 minutes, Dundalk again should have equalised. From the halfway line, Marney delivered an inch perfect ball into the box for substitute Tiarnán Mulvenna. However, after controlling brilliantly with one touch, the youngster’s shot from eight-yards was gathered by Ryan. Soon after, the ‘keeper was again in action as he saved a header from Crowley, who was deemed to be in an offside position, in a questionable decision.

Nine minutes from time, the hosts were again on the attack, as Duffy was set away down the right by Whelehan, before seeing his cross headed behind by Daly as Crowley arrived at the back stick. From the resulting Crawley corner, Vaughan collected the breaking ball inside the area, however, his goal-bound effort from 12-yards was well gathered on the line.

Following that, Limerick soon wrapped up the points, as Sheehan found the net on 87 minutes. The visitors broke quickly from a Dundalk free-kick, with Walshe sending the unchallenged Sheehan through on goal, and he made no mistake with the finish as he calmly slotted the ball past Bennion. That was basically that, although the home side should have grabbed a consolation on 93 minutes. A miss-kick by Tommy Barrett put Duffy through, however, he saw his goal-bound chip palmed behind by Ryan.

Dundalk (4-4-2): Chris Bennion; Paul Marney, Ben Whelehan, Ian Ryan (Shane Grimes 56), David Crawley; Jamie Duffy, Paul Shiels, Paul Crowley, Davie O’Connor (Paul Smyth 74); Trevor Vaughan, Robbie Martin (Tiarnán Mulvenna 60).
Unused Subs: Aaron Shanahan (GK), Stefan McKevitt.

Booked: Whelehan (27).
 

Limerick (4-5-1): Dave Ryan; Brendan Daly, Tommy Barrett, Paul Danaher, Brian Cleary; Jason Hughes, Wayne Colbert, David Ryan (Darren Harrington 74 (Evan Quinlivan 90)), Paul Walshe, Chinka Manjor (Stephen Goggins 77); Gary Sheehan.
Unused Subs: Brian Collopy (GK), Jonathon Grant.

Booked: Manjor (77).
 

Referee: Darren Coombes (Dublin).
Attendance: 500 (estimate).