- Tom Clancy
- Sat, Jul 05 2014
Bohemians made it three wins in four games as a Paddy Kavanagh leveller and a late Eoin Wearen strike punished a mistake ridden Limerick in front of around 250 at Thomond Park on Friday night.
Stephan Folan gave Limerick an early lead but that was as good as it got, in a game where Dinny Corcoran also had a penalty saved for the visitors.
In a dull opening, Limerick hit the front after 9 minutes. A long throw-in from striker Rory Gaffney set up the chance, as Oji and new signing Ian Turner helped break the ball centre-half Folan, who stabbed home.
Ian Turner was busy throughout the opening 45 minutes of action. In and around the half hour mark, the Cork native outmuscled Derek Pender and from a tight angle, forced a decent stop from Dean Delany.
Sandwiched between the goal and that chance were two half-chances for Bohs. Eoin Wearen failed to connect with a Steven Beattie cross as the goal was at his mercy. The other attempt came from Derek Pender, who after making a great run, lacked composure and fired well wide when he should have tested Cusack, at the least.
Limerick, who made four changes from the defeat to Cork City, were struggling to create meaningful openings. They allowed Bohs winger Steven Beattie to slip into the penalty area, and Robbie Williams upended him. There was little doubt about the award of the spot-kick, but the decision to only caution the English full-back was to the annoyance to the Bohs players and fans.
Dinny Corcoran stepped up saw his kick saved by Cusack. The Clareman touched the penalty onto the post and the Blues cleared. Corcoran has now missed two penalties in as many games.
It wasn’t until the hour mark that Bohs took control of the game. An attempted punt up field by Shane Cusack was poorly executed by the ‘keeper and it was intercepted by Bohs. The ball was fed to Paddy Kavanagh, who with plenty still to do calmly dinked the ball over Cusack for the equaliser.
Limerick, playing the 2000th League game in the Clubs history, failed to gain any momentum after the setback.
With chances at a premium, the introduction of Craig Walsh almost proved to be instantly effective. He raced past a tiring Williams and crossed the ball to Kavanagh, who was unable to convert with his head. Limerick, saw the danger, yet walked along the enchanted way for the remaining dozen minutes.
With time almost up, Limerick made another fatal error. Youngster James McGrath, introduced during the second-half, passed the ball straight to Jason Byrne. The veteran fed Craig Walsh, who squared for Wearen who finished easily from eight yards
Limerick could muster little in the closing moments and it was a night to forget for the players, staff and few fans in attendance. They face an important tie against Athlone Town next week, a game they must get three points from to halt an air of negativity around the side.
Bohs, meanwhile win consecutive away games for the first time in since early 2012. The visitors, though unspectacular, were the better side.
Limerick FC: Shane Cusack; Patrick Nzuzi, Stephen Folan, Samuel Oji, Robbie Williams; Shane Duggan, Prince Agyemang (Tam McManus 88), Ian Turner, Jason Hughes; Ross Mann (James McGrath 65), Rory Gaffney.
Subs not used: Ali Abass (gk), Mick Leahy, Darragh Rainsford, Garbhan Coughlan, Tony Whitehead
Booked: Williams (33), Nzuzi (68), Hughes (90+1)
Bohemians: Dean Delany; Derek Pender, Anto Murphy, Dan Byrne, Jack Memery; Kevin Devaney (Craig Walsh 70), Roberto Lopes, Eoin Wearen, Steven Beattie, Dinny Corcoran (Jason Byrne 88), Patrick Kavanagh (Karl Moore 90).
Subs not used: Ryan McEvoy, Jake Hyland, Gavin Moore, Keith Buckley.
Booked: Kavanagh (45+1), Murphy (47), Memery (53), Wearen (67)
Referee: Tomas Connolly
Attendance:
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Prince Agyemang (Limerick FC) – Perhaps the only Limerick man who deserved to be on a winning side. A real talent.
