- Andrew Cunneen
- Wed, Apr 17 2013
A David O'Leary header deep into stoppage time gave ten-man Limerick their second win of the season after a sensational fightback in Thomond Park.
Limerick looked to be very unsettled right from the get-go as a mix-up between Aaron Brown and Barry Ryan should have given the visitors the lead. A backpass aimed towards Ryan seemed routine, only for Brown to take a touch away from Ryan. The loose ball was pounced upon by Kevin Devaney whose decision to take a touch rather than shoot seemed odd. With an open goal at his mercy, Devaney's heavy touch was cleared by the in-rushing Stephen Folan and Brown's blushes were spared.
In a half that was dominated by the young Shane Murray in the middle of the park, very little of note actually occurred in terms of shots on goal or dramatic incidents. While Bohemians lined out with five in midfield, Limerick struggled to keep the ball on a pitch that felt the effects of the rugby game played on it only a few days previously.
Bohemians had a golden opportunity to take the lead midway through the first half. Shane Murray broke from midfield and took aim. His shot trickled along the bobbly surface towards the back post where Kevin Devaney had the simplest of tasks to stick a leg out and tap home. The ex-Sligo striker failed to make any contact and watched the ball pass him by.
Limerick had their first effort on goal just before the half when some tricky footwork from Danny Galbraith created space to run into. He dinked a ball into the feet of Craig Curran but the fan favourite couldn't manage to get the effort on goal.
From a first half that lacked everything, came a second half that had everything. Danny Galbraith came to life early on. He stung the palms of Dean Delany in the Bohs' goal after he cut in from the right and fired towards the near post.
Soon after, Limerick were dealt a big sucker punch. From what seemed rather routine, the centre half pairing of Brown and Folan saw a through ball from the left wing fall into the path of Keith Buckley. He was upended by makeshift left back Patrick Nzuzi and the Limerick defender was given his marching orders. Ryan McEvoy rolled up his socks and rolled the penalty into the corner of the net, much to the delight of the partisan away support.
When everyone expected Limerick to fold, they came firing back and the Shannonsiders really got the wake-up call they needed. Five minutes after falling behind, Shane Tracy equalised with one of the best struck-free kicks you're likely to see. The Limerick tails were up.
The introduction of Rory Gaffney brought Limerick to life and gave them a new dimension. Bravely, manager Stuart Taylor opted to go two up front despite only having ten men. The away side didn't seem to know how to respond and the home side took control for the remainder.
Aaron Brown had a decent effort go wide five minutes from the end after yet another great ball into the box from Shane Tracy, but the spectacular finale was not to be denied.
Dave Scully could have arguably won the game for Gypsies with just two minutes left, but the towering centre forward couldn't cash in on the space that was afforded to him, and his effort was blasted into the terrace behind the goal.
With just seconds to go at Thomond Park, Limerick won a free-kick on the right hand side. Forty yards from goal, Shane Tracy delivered a ball that seemed to hang in the air for an eternity before connecting with the head of David O'Leary. Bohs' stopper Delany was helpless as the ball rolled over the line. It was in this moment that Thomond Park erupted with joy.
Bohemians will feel hard done by, but Limerick showed real character to come back with ten men.
Limerick FC: Barry Ryan; Shaun Kelly, Aaron Brown, Stephen Folan, Patrick Nzuzi; Shane Tracy, Stephen Bradley, David O'Leary; Axel Bossekota (Rory Gaffney 66), Craig Curran, Danny Galbraith.
Subs not Used: Shane Cusack, Shane Costelloe, Val Feeney, Pat Purcell, Steven McGann, Darragh Rainsford.
Bookings: None.
Sendings-off: Patrick Nzuzi.
Bohemians: Dean Delany; Michael Barker, Roberto Lopes, Derek Pender, Luke Byrne; Keith Buckley (Karl Moore 86), Dave Mulcahy, Ryan McEvoy, Shane Murray (Dave Scully 69) Ciaran Nangle; Kevin Devaney (Kevin O'Leary 78).
Subs not Used: Greg Murray, Conor O'Brien, Stephen Paisley, Dwayne Wilson.
Bookings: Ciaran Nangle
Referee: Alan Kelly.
Attendance: 1,871.
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: David O'Leary (Limerick FC).
