Shamrock Rovers 1 - 0 Limerick FC
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Shamrock Rovers qualified for the third round of the FAI cup tonight after a 68th minute goal from substitute Stephen O'Donnell gave them a hard fought victory over Limerick FC. However, Limerick will feel aggrieved not to have been given a second half penalty.
It was an even opening half in Tallaght Stadium but it was the visitors who started the better and in the 5th minute they nearly took the lead. Shane Treacy took a left footed corner from the right and after a goalmouth scramble the ball broke to Rory Gaffney whose goalbound effort was cleared off the line by Conor Powell.
Rovers began to get into the game soon after and they had their first chance in the 13th minute. Billy Dennehy played it to Gary McCabe on the left and his perfect cross picked out the unmarked Craig Sives. The Rovers defender rose and headed goalwards but his effort just shaved the post.
Stephen Kenny's side should have taken the lead in the 18th minute. Gary Twigg played a lovely ball in behind the Limerick defence and found McCabe on the right. McCabe put in another fine cross and he found Rovers striker Gary O'Neill six yards out. O'Neill seemed
destined to score but he somehow volleyed it over.
Limerick, and Gaffney, had another chance in the 36th minute. The blues number 19 stole the ball from Killian Brennan and hit it first time from about 20 yards out, but Oscar Jansson dived low to his right to parry the ball to safety.
Just a minute later Gary Twig played in the busy McCabe on the right but the Hoops number seven shot straight at Barry Ryan in the Limerick goal.
Limerick should have been awarded a penalty in the 49th minute. Captain Pat Purcell flicked the ball on and Killian Brennan handled in the area. Limerick manager Pat Scully was incensed that referee Anthony Buttimer did not give the blues a spot kick.
In the 63rd minute Stephen Rice picked out McCabe on the right. McCabe put in another fine cross, this time finding Billy Dennehy at the back post but the Kerry man could not steer his header on target.
The home team took the lead in the 68th minute and two of Rovers’ substitutes were involved in the goal. Daryl Kavanagh struck a fine shot from the edge of the Limerick area. Limerick goalkeeper Ryan dived low to his right but could only parry the ball out to the
onrushing Stephen O'Donnell who was there to tap it home.
Worse was to follow for Limerick soon after. Paudie Quinn who had just come on for James McGrath was shown a straight red by referee Anthony Buttimer for a high tackle on Kerrea Gilbert in the 76th minute.
After Stephen O'Donnell gave away the ball in the 89th minute, Stephen Bradley tried his luck from 30 yards out but the ball did not dip in time and went just over the Rovers crossbar.
Rovers should have scored a second on the counter attack in the 93rd minute. Craig Sives played it through to Kavanagh and he raced towards goal, but instead of shooting he played the ball back to Gary Twigg. Twigg tried a bicycle kick but his effort was off target.
The home side held on for a slender victory but Limerick will be left to wonder what might have been after being denied a clear penalty.
Shamrock Rovers: Oscar Jansson; Kerrea Gilbert, Craig Sives, Graham Gartland, Conor Powell; Gary McCabe (Conor McCormack 93), Stephen Rice, Killian Brennan (Stephen O'Donnell 61), Billy Dennehy; Gary O'Neill (Daryl Kavanagh 54), Gary Twigg (captain).
Subs Not Used: Reyaad Pieterse, Aaron Greene, Colin Hawkins, Ronan Finn.
Booked: K Brennan (22), Rice (45), Gartland (48), D Kavanagh (85).
Limerick FC: Barry Ryan; Shaun Kelly, Paddy Purcell (captain), Shane Guthrie (Colin Daly 83), Shane Treacy; Corie Treacy, David O’Leary, Stephen McGann, James McGrath (Paudie Quinn 75); Garbhan Coughlan (Stephen Bradley 68), Rory Gaffney.
Subs Not Used: Shane Cusack, Andrew Cowpar, Alex Scully, Anto O'Donnell.
Booked: McGann (24), C Treacy (29), Bradley (68), Purcell (74).
Sent-off: P Quinn (76).
Referee: Anthony Buttimer.
Attendance: 1,300 estimate.
Extratime.ie Man of the match: Gary McCabe (Shamrock Rovers).
