Mervue United 1 - 2 Limerick FC

Title favourites Limerick got back to winning ways with a 2-1 defeat of a brave Mervue United side, but it took a contentious second half penalty to eventually see off the home side at Fahy’s Field on Friday night.

Despite being the better and more dangerous looking side throughout, the visitors found it hard to breakdown a hard working Mervue side that were missing six regulars through injury and suspension as they only named four players on the bench.

Pat Scully’s side didn’t take long to hit the front but struggled thereafter to add to that opening score as Johnny Glynn’s side battled hard and actually drew level from the penalty spot midway through the second period only for the Shannonsiders to put their heads back in front, also from the spot.

Joe Gamble’s sweet half volley opened the scoring on 16 minutes after Ronan Forde had denied Paudie Quinn with an excellent stop to concede a corner from which the home side failed to clear and Gamble struck the ball into the roof of the net from the edge of the box.

A Jason Molloy strike was straight at Barry Ryan three minutes later, while Pat Purcell headed a Rory Gaffney corner over at the other end. An excellent in-swinging cross from Kenny Farrell should have produced an equaliser for the home side but Alex Lee failed to head home from a great position on the half hour mark.

Two minutes later and a good run from Mervue right back Michael McSweeney, on his full debut, resulted in the defender passing into the box to Pat Hoban who setup the ball up for Molloy but his low struck effort was deflected past the post for a corner.

Limerick should have doubled their lead two minutes after the re-start when Derek O’Brien slipped a good ball into the path of Paudie Quinn but his shot was well saved by Forde who gathered at the second attempt.

The home side drew level on 64 minutes when a deep cross from Molloy on the right picked out Etanda Nkololo and as he moved into the box he was upended by Corey Treacy with referee Kevin O’Regan pointing to the spot. Pat Hoban stepped up and stroked home the resultant penalty sending Barry Ryan the wrong way for 1-1.
 

Limerick introduced Shane Tracy for former Mervue player Rory Gaffney after conceding, while the home side replaced Lee with big striker Peter Dravins. The visitors regain the lead quite quickly after conceding as they were awarded a penalty of their own on 71 minutes.

A dangerous ball into the box from right saw Paudie Quinn crumble to the ground with Mike Elwood in close attention as referee O’Regan once again pointed to the penalty spot to the delight of the Limerick support with the home team claiming a dive. Sub Tracy who had only arrived on the pitch minutes earlier was handed the ball and he coolly sent Forde the wrong way for what was the winning score.

The final twenty minutes failed to produce any real opportunities as the concession of the penalty seemed to knock the stuffing out of the home side. Limerick on the other hand seemed intent on holding onto their 2-1 lead with Pat Purcell and Shane Guthrie in commanding form at the back as Mervue failed to get a sight on Barry Ryan’s goal despite an additional five minutes.

Pat Scully was delighted after the game to have claimed an important three points after last week’s disappointment in Waterford, while Johnny Glynn’s side remain pointless after three games.

Mervue United: Ronan Forde; Michael McSweeney, Kenny Farrell, Mike Elwood, Stephen Walsh; Noel Varley, Jason Molloy, Barry McEntee, Alex Lee (Peter Dravins ’65), Etanda Nkololo; Pat Hoban.

Subs not used: Conor Gleeson (GK), Shane Keogh, Michael Collins.

Bookings: M Elwood (42), J Molloy (61), M McSweeney (86).

Limerick FC: Barry Ryan; Corie Treacy, Pat Purcell, Shane Guthrie, Andrew Bhandarkar; Joe Gamble, Steven McGann (David O’Leary ’81), Rory Gaffney (Shane Tracy ’67); Paudie Quinn (Denis Behan ’75); Dominic Foley, Derek O’Brien.

Subs not used: Dave Ryan (GK), Shaun Kelly, Gary Sheahan, Garbhain Coughlan. 

Bookings: J Gamble (21), D Behan (90+5).

Referee: Kevin O’Regan (Kerry).

Attendance: 346

Extratime.ie Man of the Match – Joe Gamble (Limerick) Scored the opening goal and ran the show in midfield.