Limerick 3 - 0 Salthill Devon

• Andrew Cunneen
• Fri, Mar 11 2011


Limerick’s interplay and footballing nature proved too much for a poor Salthill Devon on Shannonside on Friday evening as a brace from Shane Tracey and a goal from Peter Hynes sealed Limerick’s first win of the season.

Almost immediately from kickoff, Limerick were awarded a free kick twenty five yards from goal. Shane Tracey’s fantastic strike rocketed past Ronan Forde in the Devon goal and Limerick were ahead thirty seconds into the encounter. A superb start for the home side.

Limerick’s passing ability was on show for all to see, exhibition stuff from Pat Scully’s men as the visitors really struggled to keep up with play. Shane Tracey’s direct runs and pin point accuracy were really putting Salthill to the sword. As little as five minutes later, Quinn linked up well with Tracey, to create a shooting chance for Stephen McGann, who misjudged the effort, which flew aimlessly past the post.

Chances galore from the home side seemed to be wasted, Hynes and McGann the guilty parties with two missed opportunities, but the home side were really beginning to turn the screw on the helpless Galway side.

Another fantastic delivery from Shane Tracey found Brian O’Callaghan free in the six yard box, the make-shift skipper for the night directed his header powerfully at Forde, the keeper doing well to tip over the bar.

Just as it seemed the first half would end with a single goal separating the sides, Limerick broke away at speed. Quinn played a good ball to McGann on the right side of midfield, his lofted cross found Tracey alone, eight yards from goal and he notched his brace with a cool finish into the far corner.

The second half began in much the same way, with the home team now attacking the clubhouse end. Hynes being used as a target man was effective as his knock downs created many shooting opportunities for Limerick, one of which fell to the tireless McGann, shooting just wide, off balance.

That was to be the youngsters’ last contribution of the game, as he was then replaced by Garbhan Coughlan. Coughlan was returning from international duty with the Irish Schools side, scoring two goals against Wales last week. His presence was felt immediately as his pace was attracting the full backs attention leaving space free in the middle.

This was the cause of the third goal, some good football in midfield offered Peter Hynes to have a go, he accepted gratefully and found the bottom corner from all of twenty yards. One may question the efforts of the Salthill keeper who was very slow to get down to the strike.

The game saw the introductions of Peter White and Thomas Lyons who broke up the play well, and ensured no Salthill moves could develop through the middle. Salthill look as if they may well struggle this year to avoid the dreaded bottom spot once more.

Limerick on the other hand look strong and play with a footballing mentally, which has often been a topic of criticism for the Airtricity League. The game died down from here on in. Both sides seemed to settle for what they had, Devon never really threatened throughout the entire game and Limerick find themselves top of the First Division for the first time in a long time.

Limerick FC: Ryan, Broughall, Frost, McCarthy, O’Callaghan, Judge, O’Leary (White 70), McGann (Coughlan 56), Tracey, Quinn (Lyons 76), Hynes.
Subs not Used: Treacy, Coleman, Cusack.

Salthill Devon: Forde, Conlon, O’Leidhinn(Howley 70), Horgan, Fadden, Quinlan, Rupa, McBrien, Collins, Dunne, Nkololo.
Subs not Used: O’Connell, Ward, Power, Browne.

Referee: P. Caschera

Attendance: 468

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Shane Tracey