- Tom Clancy
- Wed, Sep 25 2013
Limerick FC managed their first win since August 2nd with an impressive performance over an extremely disinterested looking Shamrock Rovers on Tuesday night. Goals in either half from Jason Hughes and Rory Gaffney meant that Limerick drew level on points with Drogheda United in 7th place.
The Blues started extremely well and David O’Leary flashed a shot wide within ten seconds of the start after a neat lay-off from Craig Curran. Curran himself fired over a minute later.
The Hoops, who made nine changes from Saturday’s EA Sports Cup Final, struggled to keep possession and were far too poor in counter-acting Limerick’s early pressure. Rory Gaffney was a hand full early on and his long throws became a real hassle for Rovers.
The first Gaffney throw almost found the feet of Samuel Oji inside the six-yard box, with the ball eventually flicking wide off the centre-half.
With 11 minutes on the clock, another Gaffney throw deceived the Rovers defence and from all of seven yards Jason Hughes smashed the ball to the net with his left foot. The Hoops defence will wonder how they let the ball bounce just yards from their goal, leaving Hughes with a golden opportunity, one which he had no hesitation in taking.
The lack of quality link-up between Rovers frontmen Quigley and Zayed and their midfielders left Rovers on the back foot far too often. Despite this, Sean O’Connor almost grabbed an equaliser for the visiting team. His free-kick from just outside the area was expertly touched behind for a corner by the left-hand of Barry Ryan. The ball seemed destined for the top-corner.
Having picked up a yellow for a tackle on Conor McCormack moments early, Craig Curran was then angered by a clash with James Chambers, the striker felt Chambers had caught him in the face. A combination of Bradley, Malky Thomson and Stuart Taylor prevented him from doing something regrettable.
After the break Rovers created some openings, but Karl Sheppard and then O’Connor were guilty of poor finishing.
The same couldn’t be said of Rory Gaffney. Jason Hughes found Gaffney on the corner of the penalty area and he hit an exquisite first time curling shot beyond Barry Murphy.
The second goal came in the aftermath of Limerick’s assistant manager Malky Thomson being sent off for his protests at a decision from ref Graham Kelly.
Rovers failed to open Limerick up thereafter, and their performance was summed up but David Elebert passing the ball out of play twice in quick succession, without any substantial pressure from a home player.
Even the introduction of Dennehy, McCabe and Stewart couldn’t improve their showing in front of the 933 in attendance.
Limerick can be satisfied with their performance, especially with a clean sheet, something which has deserted them far too often this season. Rovers must refocus and look to improve their performance level before their important cup-semi against Sligo Rovers.
Limerick FC: Barry Ryan; Patrick Nzuzi, Samuel Oji, Stephen Folan, Robbie Williams; Stephen Bradley, David O’Leary, Jason Hughes (Darragh Rainsford 90 +4), Carel Tiofack (Axel Bossekota 53), Rory Gaffney (Colm Murphy 87); Craig Curran.
Subs not used: Shane Cusack, Tony Whitehead, Barry Sheedy, Val Feeney.
Booked: Curran (37), O’Leary (66), Oji (90+4).
Shamrock Rovers: Barry Murphy; Conor McCormack, Jason McGuinness, David Elebert, Daniel Ledwith; Karl Sheppard (Billy Dennehy 71), James Chambers, Stephen Rice, Sean O’Connor; Mark Quigley (Gary McCabe 71), Eamon Zayed (Thomas Stewart 62).
Subs not used: Richard Brush, Derek Foran, Pat Sullivan, Shane Robinson.
Booked: Chambers (89).
Referee: Graham Kelly
Attendance: 933
Man of the Match: Rory Gaffney (Limerick FC).
