Limerick FC 2 - 1 Athlone Town

Limerick FC continued their winning ways to keep the pressure on the Airtricity First Division leaders Longford Town with a hard earned victory over a resilient Athlone Town at Jackman Park on Friday night.

With the two top sides due to meet each other in two weeks’ time, a 2-1 win for Pat Scully’s side was vital for the Shannonsiders. Limerick made hard work to secure victory in front of an expectant home crowd and Rory Gaffney opened the scoring after seventeen minutes with a superb finish after fantastic passing from the home side.

Limerick controlled the rest of the first half without ever threatening to score a second. This nearly came back to haunt Pat Scully’s side as ex-Limerick midfielder Garvin Broughall equalised with thirteen minutes remaining and a surprise draw looked possible for Mike Kerley’s men. However, it took Limerick only six minutes to save their blushes as Rory Gaffney grabbed his second of the game to seal all three points for Limerick.

It was the visitors who had the earliest chances, Niall Scullion with first chance of the game, but his effort rose over Dave Ryan’s goal after two minutes. Two minutes later Athlone nearly capitalised on poor defending from Limerick as Broughall headed wide from four yards as Shane Guthrie scrambled back to put the youngster under pressure.

Despite the early pressure from Athlone, Limerick showed signs of what was to come after eight minutes when Barry Sheedy skipped past Mark Walshe, but his effort was blocked by Brian McCarthy and Athlone ‘keeper Pat Jennings collected the resulting loose ball.

Five minutes later, Limerick nearly capitalised on poor defending from Athlone but the lively Gaffney misfired wide, to the delight of Jennings, after he scuffed a through ball from Denis Behan.

Limerick were rewarded for their early pressure when a passage of fantastic play ended with a sublime finish from the in-form Gaffney. An intelligent step over from Dave O’Leary, after a sweeping pass from Stephen Bradley, fooled the Athlone defence, to leave Gaffney with the task of beating Jennings. A calm finish opened the scoring for the home side.

Despite their early lead Limerick made it difficult for themselves in the remaining minutes of the first half. Both Pat Purcell and Gaffney went close in the 28th minute and 44th minute respectively, but Purcell’s effort edged over the Athlone crossbar and Rory Gaffney’s finish was deemed offside right on the cusp of half time.

Athlone started the second half brightly, but it was Limerick’s Denis Behan who came close to doubling his sides lead with a glancing header in the 51st minute. Behan latched on to a curling cross from Garry Sheahan but Pat Jennings was equal it.

As the second half continued, Athlone had a greater share of the possession especially in midfield, but it was Limerick who had the better chances. In the 70th minute Limerick’s Brosnan crossed to the back post where Garry Sheahan flicked the ball back to Denis Behan. His lay off was hit first time by Stephan Bradley but his half volley dragged narrowly wide.

Two minutes later Limerick nearly doubled their lead once again but Denis Behan’s effort went wide after he rose to volley a Rory Gaffney cross inside the six yard box.

Less than a minute later Athlone capitalised on Limerick’s missed chances as Mike Kerley’s side equalised through ex-Limerick player Garvin Broughall. The young Athlone midfielder controlled a through ball from Jason Hughes to chip over Limerick ‘keeper Dave Ryan.

Parity lasted only six minutes as Rory Gaffney skipped past Brian McCarthy in controversial circumstances to give Limerick a 2-1 lead from the narrowest of angles. This ignited scenes of protest from all involved with Athlone as they deemed Gaffney to have illegally tackled Brian McCarthy in the lead up to the goal. To the delight of the majority of the 488 in attendance, referee Keith Callanan did not agree with the Athlone side of the argument.

A hard fought win for Limerick sees them stay within touching distance of leaders Longford Town in the build-up to a vital clash in Flancare Park in two weeks’ time. So it’s three points for Pat Scully’s side but it was a nervous performance from the Shannonsiders. Athlone will be aggrieved with Limerick’s winner but a battling performance will boost morals in Mike Kerley’s side.

Limerick FC: David Ryan; Shaun Kelly, Paddy Purcell, Shane Guthrie, Shane Tracy; Rory Gaffney, David O’Leary, Stephen Bradley, Garry Sheahan (Stephan McGann 81), Barry Sheedy (Sean Brosnan 66); Denis Behan.

Subs not Used: Barry Ryan, Brian O’ Callaghan, Garbhan Coughlan, Corrie Treacy

Booked: Shaun Kelly (37).

Athlone Town: Pat Jennings; Ross Kenny (Kevin Williamson 49), Mark Walshe (Joe Woods 46), Brian McCarthy, Niall Scullion; Stephen Relihan, Damien Rushe (Sean Guerins 84), Brian Gill, Garvin Broughall, Jason Hughes; Mark Sherlock.

Subs not Used: Brian Collopy, Ian Sweeney, David Brooks, Darren Coleman.

Booked: Scullion(80), Sherlock (80), McCarthy (82), Gill (90).

Referee: Keith Callanan.

Attendance: 488.

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Rory Gaffney.