Limerick 37 1 - 1 Sporting Fingal

Sporting Fingal just about held onto a 1-1 draw at Jackman Park to keep their promotion hopes alive. A fantastic display of attacking free-flowing football was on view from both sides but a winner was never found.

Tonight’s result now leaves Fingal with a difficult but possible chance of gaining promotion in their first season in the League. They now lie eight points behind league leaders Dundalk with a game in hand.

The majority of the home supporters left the ground wondering how their side didn’t pick up all three points but they only have the lethal combination of poor finishing and last ditch defending from Sporting Fingal to blame.

Paul Byrne opened the scoring for the visitors on the stroke of half time to the amazement of the crowd as it was all Limerick for the opening half. Limerick defender Paul Danagher grabbed his side a well deserved point with twelve minutes remaining.

Limerick dominated the opening of the game as they created several goal scoring opportunities but nothing to show for their hard work. Limerick were denied by the in-form Brendan Clarke who pulled off a fantastic save after Gary Sheehan was full sure he had scored after he met a Paul Walsh cross.

Despite Limerick dominating the game, Fingal created their share of chances when they hit Limerick on the break. They came close early on when Paul Byrne was closed down by Limerick defender Pat Purcell as he looked to open the scoring.

In the 13th minute, Fingal had to call on the services of goalkeeper Clarke yet again. Walsh found himself in familiar surroundings in front of the Fingal goal but Clarke was on hand to deny Walsh after a through ball from the lively John Tierney.

Limerick continued to push forward and break through the Fingal defence with pace and they came close again in the 31st minute when Clarke pulled off a fantastic reaction save from Walsh. Nine minutes later Liam Buckley’s side hit Limerick on the break after some slack defending which allowed Hynes get a shot away, but his poor effort was easily collected by Dave Ryan.

Liam Buckley was forced to make a change in the 42nd minute when Collins limped off after a nasty challenge. His replacement was the experienced Cafferey. Just when it looked like both sides would go into the break at stalemate, Philip Byrne powerfully headed home from an in swinging Conan Byrne corner on the stroke of half time.

Sporting Fingal looked more confident at the start of the second half and they began to create more chances. Substitute Cafferey came close in the 52nd minute but his effort was pushed out for a corner by Limerick keeper Dave Ryan.

John Tierney should have equalised in the 67th minute when he rounded Clarke only to see his effort cleared off the line by Philip Byrne. Two minutes later Tierney came close yet again but Clarke brilliantly saved again to deny the hosts.

In the 74th minute, Limerick manager Mike Kerley hoped fresh legs could inspire his side to grab an equaliser. 17 year old Thomas Lyons was replaced by midfielder David Ryan but he blazed the ball over the bar with his first touch.

Just when it started to look like it would not be Limerick’s night, Paul Danagher sent the home crowd into raptures with a fantastic header across the face of Clarke’s goal. It was an inch perfect cross from winger Jason Hughes that was the main inspiration for the equaliser. Paul Danagher rose above the static Fingal defence to meet Hughes’ cross and find the net. It was the least the Shannonsiders deserved after their domination of the game especially the second half in which saw them notch up an impressive twelve shots on target.

Gary Sheehan nearly broke Fingals’ hearts and destroyed their promotion hopes with a last minute effort. His lighting pace beat the Fingal defence but his powerful shot could only strike the post as Coombes began to put the whistle in his mouth.

Limerick do not have long to rest as they travel to Wexford on Monday night (Kick-off 7:45pm) in a rescheduled fixture. Meanwhile Sporting Final will hope to keep up their chase on the top three with a difficult trip to Athlone on Tuesday night (Kick-off 7:45pm)

Limerick 37: Dave Ryan; Tommy Barrett, Paul Danaher, Pat Purcell, Brian Cleary; Wayne Colbert, Jason Hughes, Thomas Lyons (David Ryan 74) Paul Walsh; Garry Sheahan, John Tierney.

Sporting Fingal: Brendan Clarke; Brian Gannon, Philip Byrne, Barry Ferguson, John Frost; Conan Byrne, Colm James, Aidan Collins (Paul Caffrey 42), Fiachra McArdle (Christy Doran 86); Peter Hynes (Dinny Corcoran 74), Paul Byrne.

Referee: Darren Coombes.

Attendance: 506

Extratime Man of the Match: Brendan Clarke (Sporting Fingal).