Limerick FC 3 - 0 Kildare County

• David Byrne
• Sat, Apr 18 2009


Limerick FC recorded a convincing 3-0 victory over rock bottom Kildare County at Jackman Park tonight. First half goals from Wayne Colbert and a penalty from Paul Walsh gave the hosts a 2-0 lead at half time. An own goal from Kildare’s Baba Issaka in the 62nd minute sealed the three points for Pat Scully’s side.

The Shannonsiders began the livelier of the two sides and came close to scoring in the first minute but the tightly marked Paul Danaher headed over from close range. Limerick dominated possession in the opening minutes but failed to capitalise on this, and after several excellent saves from Kevin McDonnell, Kildare kept out the determined Limerick in the opening 15 minutes.

Limerick’s attacking play and possession was finally awarded in the 18th minute when a superb free kick from Martin Deady was flicked on by Wayne Colbert into the corner of Kevin McDonnell’s net.

Kildare offered very little in terms of attacking football and the Limerick defence soaked up the long balls provided by Kildare’s back four. As Pat Scully had set out his team in a cautious 4-5-1 formation it was difficult for Limerick to break down Kildare’s defence with only one up front.

However, once Limerick’s five man midfield began to take control on proceedings, linking well with Colin Scanlon up front, it only looked like a matter of time before Scully’s team doubled their lead.

The versatile Tommy Barrett nearly grabbed Limerick’s second after 35 minutes played but his effort narrowly went over the crossbar as he headed Deady’s out-swinging cross.

The home side were getting closer and as the crowd found their voice, they began to play with a new found confidence. Confidence turned into good football as Limerick looked for that all important second goal.

That second goal came on the verge of half time as Limerick doubled their scoring through a Paul Walsh penalty. Striker Colin Scanlon was brought down in the area just as he was about to take a shot on goal. Paul Walsh coolly finished the resulting penalty after 43 minutes of play.

Kildare heads dropped and at the start of the second half, they lacked confidence and resorted to long balls to their strikers. Kildare’s Orrin Farrell showed a touch of class every time he got the ball but Kildare offered very little in the final third of the pitch.

Pat Scully introduced Jason Hughes at half time and he settled the Munster side’s central midfield and brought Paul Walsh into the game. Paul Walsh provided Limerick’s attack with perfect crossing which caused the Kildare defence all sorts of problems in the second half.

Kildare’s defence was exposed once again in the 62nd minute when Baba Issaka handed Limerick a third goal when he misjudged a Limerick cross and headed past McDonnell into his own net. This all but ended the game as a contest and both sides began to make changes.

Understandably, Limerick began to sit back and defend their lead and this gave Kildare more time on the ball in midfield.

In the end, Limerick picked up all three points for their efforts and their second win in a row. Kildare remain bottom while Limerick climb to fifth ahead of Athlone but Brendan Place’s side have a game in hand against Finn Harps on Saturday.

Limerick FC: David Ryan, Jamie Wunsch, Paul Danaher, Pat Purcell, Martin Deady, Paul Walsh, Wayne Colbert, Tommy Barrett, Brendan Daly, Dave Ryan, Colin Scanlon. Subs Used: Jason Hughes for Wayne Colbert, Thomas Lyons for Brendan Daly, Shane Tracy for Dave Ryan. Subs not Used: Brian Collopy, Eoin O’ Brien.

Kildare County FC: Kevin McDonnell, Colin Murray, Alan Thorpe, Karl Hegarthy, Colin Osbourne, Baba Issaka, Noel Byrne, Matt Byrne, Alan Lynch, David O’ Riordan, Orrin Farrell. Subs Used: Paul Rigney for Alan Thorpe, Gavin Kinsella for Alan Lynch, Daithi Garry for David O’ Riordan. Subs not Used: Mark Murnaghan, Benny Langan. Attendance: 467 Referee: Brendan Kelly (Offaly) Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Paul Walsh. Yet again, he controlled the midfield and provided top class crosses for Limerick’s strikers.