- Tom Clancy
- Sat, Mar 08 2014
Two red cards were the main talking point of a rather lacklustre draw between Limerick and Bray Wanderers at Thomond Park on Friday night. Neither side could break the deadlock as two number eights, Shane Duggan and David Cassidy, were dismissed on their debuts for their new sides.
Limerick began the game marginally the better, but failed to create anything of note in the opening quarter. Rory Gaffney was using his long-throw regularly, but to little avail while Patrick Nzuzi and Shane Duggan quickly went into referee Kevin O’Regans book.
Nzuzi tested the patience of the match official, and after two further first-half fouls, one on David Cassidy, the midfielder could count himself lucky to still be on the pitch.
Bray’s Adam Hanlon twice fired off target, the latter of which went just inches wide. Sandwiched in between Hanlons efforts was a smart volley from Jake Kelly as the man who re-joined the Wicklow Club in the off season forced a fine save from Shane Cusack.
Jason Hughes carved open the Bray defence when he found pacy full-back Shaun Kelly. The ex-Dundalk man fired straight at Redmond in the Wanderers goal and it remained scoreless at the interval.
Teenager Val Feeney replaced Patick Nzuzi moments into the second-half, for fear of a red card being produced, and just after the hour mark he drilled a shot towards goal. But despite loud appeals from all in Blue, the referee waved play on. Moments later, Samuel Oji headed a corner at Redmond, Limericks best chance of the game.
Then the drama started. Shane Duggan took a tumble under a challenge from Adam Mitchell and within seconds referee O’Regan produced a second yellow for Duggan, and he was off. Limerick did apply more pressure, despite being inferior in terms of numbers.
Akinade was next to be booked as he hit the deck inside the Limerick box, as bemused supporters of both sides looked on.
As Limerick looked to counter David Cassidy took out Shane Tracy. With O’Regan about to produce the red again, Kelly pushed Cassidy over. Once the handbags was settled, Cassidy saw red, while Kelly, perhaps luckily, only saw yellow.
As the clock ticked down Limerick looked more likely with a fantastic tackle from the determined Adam Mitchell denying Rory Gaffney creating a one-on-one with Shane Redmond.
As a chill crept upon the 1,307 in attendance the referee blew his final whistle. Bray were definitely happier with the result while Limerick boss Stuart Taylor will be hoping for more from his team when he returns from suspension.
Limerick FC: Shane Cusack; Shaun Kelly, Samuel Oji, Stephen Folan, Robbie Williams, Patrick Nzuzi (Val Feeney 51), Shane Tracy, Shane Duggan, Jason Hughes, Darragh Rainsford, Rory Gaffney.
Subs not used: Shane Costelloe, Colm Murphy, Tony Whitehead, James McGrath, Barry Sheedy.
Booked: Nzuzi (12), Duggan (13), Oji (76), Shaun Kelly (78).
Sent off: Duggan (68).
Bray Wanderers: Shane Redmond; Dean Zambra, David Webster, Adam Mitchell, Robert Maloney, Eric McGill, Jake Kelly, Adam Hanlon, David Cassidy, Shane Byrne; Ciaran Byrne (Ismahil Akinade 62).
Subs not used: Stephen McGuinness (GK), Shane O’Neill, Philip Nolan, Niall Cooney, Gary Curran.
Booked: Zambra (21), Akinade (74).
Sent Off: Cassidy (78).
Referee: Kevin O’Regan
Attendance: 1,307
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Rory Gaffney (Limerick FC) – While he didn’t find the net, the striker did hold up the ball well throughout. His throw-ins weren’t as effective as hoped but still a danger nonetheless.
