Dundalk 2 - 2 Limerick

Dundalk’s wait for a first home league win of the season goes on as they played out a highly entertaining 2-2 draw with Limerick at Oriel Park on Friday night.

Limerick took the lead somewhat against the run of play at the end of the first half through Axel Bossekota and doubled their lead when former Dundalk favourite Shaun Kelly found the net with just over 20 minutes to go. However, the Lilywhites hit back with two goals in five minutes first through Dane Massey who headed home from 6 yards and then substitute Tiarnan Mulvenna equalised from close range to hand the hosts a share of the spoils.

Dundalk manager Stephen Kenny kept faith with the same starting XI which started the 2-1 victory over St. Patrick’s Athletic in Inchicore on Tuesday night while Limerick opted to make two changes from the team that started their 1-1 draw with Shamrock Rovers at Thomond Park the same night. Barry Ryan returned from suspension to replace Shane Cusack in goal while Axel Bossekota was handed a starting berth in place of Patrick Nzuzi.

The home side did start the better and had two efforts in the opening ten minutes. Vinny Faherty first had an effort easily saved by Limerick goalkeeper Barry Ryan before Faherty got his head to Dane Massey’s cross but it was straight at Ryan again.

20 minutes in, Dundalk came close to taking the lead when former Limerick man John Sullivan almost scored. John Dillon’s corner wasn’t properly cleared by the defence and Sullivan shot towards goal from inside the box but it was well blocked by Dave O’Leary.

Limerick did struggle to get into the game and had to wait until the half hour mark when O’Leary’s free-kick found Axel Bossekota who knocked over the bar while under pressure from the Dundalk defence.

Aaron Browne saw his header go wide of Peter Cherrie’s post from a Stephen Bradley delivery before the Munstermen took the lead themselves.

A poor touch from Mark Rossiter gave the ball to Stephen  Bradley who played an inch perfect ball to send the impressive Bossekota away and he outpaced Sullivan and Andy Boyle before brilliantly finishing to the bottom corner of Cherrie’s goal, 3 minutes before half-time.

Despite the setback, Dundalk almost responded immediately. Keith Ward won himself a free-kick on the edge of the box and he took it himself. The former Bohemians star curled a wonderful effort over the wall but it thundered off the crossbar.

Limerick did hold out until the break and went in a goal to the good.

Limerick came close to doubling their lead when Craig Curran’s snap shot flew right across the face of Cherrie’s goal. Down the other end, Dundalk’s Kurtis Byrne came close to equalising when he shot from just inside the box but it was well saved by Ryan once again and the follow up fell back to Byrne but he couldn’t divert it goalwards.

Dillon then had a shot gathered at the second attempt by Ryan as the hosts pressed for the leveller.  Richie Towell had an effort saved by the goalkeeper once again and John Mountney had a header go over the bar.

Despite the pressure, the inevitable happened and Dundalk fell further behind. Danny Galbraith struck the post from inside the box following a Craig Curran cross and the ball fell to former Lilywhite Shaun Kelly who rifled to the net from 8 yards.

20 minutes remaining on the clock and Limerick appeared to be heading for three points. However, as we have seen before in Oriel Park this season, 2-0 is a very dangerous lead and this Friday night was no different!

Within minutes, Dundalk got themselves back into the game. Dillon provided a wonderful cross from the corner and it was met by left-back Dane Massey from just inside the 6 yard area. This breathed new life into the Louth side and they pressed for the equaliser. They duly got it with 15 minutes to go when Dillon again was the provider. The Liverpudlian’s corner wasn’t properly cleared and the ball fell to Sullivan who brilliantly hooked the ball towards the goal and substitute Tiarnan Mulvenna finished to the net from just inside the 6 yard box.

Mulvenna then almost got a second when he had a shot well held from Ryan as he broke into the box following another excellent ball from Dillon. Massey attempted to score his second but his first time shot from 25 yards was straight at the Limerick netminder.

Limerick had a late penalty appeal turned down when Darragh Rainsford went tumbling in the box but in the end, it finished 2-2 in a match which warmed up the crowd on a chilly night in County Louth.

Dundalk: Peter Cherrie; John Sullivan, Mark Rossiter © (Chris Shields 81), Andy Boyle, Dane Massey; John Mountney (Darren Meenan 71), Richie Towell; John Dillon, Keith Ward, Kurtis Byrne (Tiarnan Mulvenna 65); Vinny Faherty.
Subs not used: Aaron Shanahan (GK), Eoghan Osborne, Patrick Hoban, Stephen McDonnell.
Booked: Keith Ward (34), John Mountney (36)

Limerick: Barry Ryan; Shaun Kelly, Stephen Folan, Aaron Browne, Shane Treacy (Patrick Nzuzi 81); Dave O’Leary (Darragh Rainsford 76), Joe Gamble ©, Stephen Bradley; Danny Galbraith, Axel Bossekota, Craig Curran.
Subs not used: Shane Cusack (GK), Pat Purcell, Rory Gaffney, Steve McGann, Shane Costelloe.
Booked: Bradley (44), S Kelly (55), Gamble (90+3).

Referee: Derek Tomney.
Attendance: 1,566
Extratime.ie man of the match: John Dillon (Dundalk).