- Tom Clancy
- Sat, Aug 02 2014
Martin Russell’s first home game in charge of Limerick was a game to remember as his side cruised to a 4-1 victory over Shamrock Rovers. Goals from Rory Gaffney, Ian Turner, an own goal from Conor Kenna and a Stephen Folan header gave Limerick a 4-0 advantage, while Sean O’Connor struck late for the visitors.
Trevor Croly will be left scratching his head after an opening half to forget. But it was the visitors who threatened first, Gary McCabe nearly finding Dean Kelly with a cross which could’ve been mistaken for a shot.
Lee Lynch, who seemed extremely eager to take leadership in midfield, provided an assist for Rory Gaffney. The striker was allowed too much time to race into the area and hammer a shot past Murphy, who could only deflect the shot onto the post and in.
After the quarter hour, loanee Ian Turner made it 2-0. Rovers were all over the place at the back and Gaffney selflessly found Turner who after a sublime first touch powered past the on-rushing Murphy. The Hoops were in real trouble even after just a quarter hour.
Minutes later, the game was all but over. Lee Lynch, who used his pace to his new sides’ benefit all night, crossed toward Gaffney. The ex-Mervue United man was unable to connect but Conor Kenna headed straight past his own ‘keeper. Jason McGuiness, who’d been run ragged by Gaffney was replaced by Luke Byrne after just 35 minutes.
Gaffney continued to threaten, and squared for Lynch who couldn’t get the correct contact and fired high and over. After the restart, Rovers, to their credit, pinned Limerick in. But the hosts dealt with all that was thrown at them, Oji and Folan dominant in the air and on the slippery Thomond Park surface.
Chances for Dean Kelly and Karl Sheppard did little to raise the mood of the 150 Dubs who’d travelled down, as Barry Ryan saved brilliantly from O’Connor.
Limerick threatened on the break but Gaffney appeared injured for the remaining quarter hour. Shane Duggan crossed for Folan who headed the skipper’s free-kick beyond the hapless Murphy to make it 4-0. Few of the 995 in attendance could have predicted the score-line before the game.
Sean O’Connor did net a thunderbolt in stoppage time, but no cheer from the travelling support summed up the mood for the Tallaght club. Chants of ‘Croly Out’ were heard as the jeers rang around the West Stand. But in the East it was unrivalled joy, as Limerick celebrated their first win since a narrow win over UCD in early June.
Limerick FC: Barry Ryan; Patrick Nzuzi, Stephen Folan, Sam Oji (Michael Leahy 90), Robbie Williams; Shane Duggan, Jason Hughes, Ian Turner, Lee Lynch, Kieran Djilali (Ross Mann 68); Rory Gaffney.
Subs not used: Shane Cusack (gk), Tony Whitehead, Prince Agyemang, Garbhan Coughlan, Tam McManus.
Booked: Hughes (63), Folan (81), Lynch (86).
Shamrock Rovers: Brian Murphy; Simon Madden, Conor Kenna, Jason McGuinness (Luke Byrne 35), Evan Osam; Ronan Finn, Stephen McPhail (Robert Bayly 79), Gary McCabe (Kieran Marty Waters 71), Sean O’Connor; Karl Sheppard, Dean Kelly
Subs not used: Craig Hyland (gk), David O’Connor, Ryan Brennan, Ciarán Kilduff.
Booked: None.
Referee: James McKell.
Attendance: 995
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Lee Lynch (Limerick FC) – Back ‘home’, Lynch was sublime, particularly in the opening half were he moved the ball quickly and efficiently to stretch a disjointed looking Rovers side.
