- Tom Clancy
- Sat, Oct 18 2014
Rory Gaffney headed the only goal of the game as Limerick beat Sligo Rovers in what is the Blues last game at Thomond Park.
Gaffneys 14th goal for Limerick in a fantastic individual season came after half-time, on the night that saw Pat O’Sullivan announce that the club are to return to the Market’s Field in 2015. The news was greeted with a large cheer by the small home support, as O’Sullivan spoke passionately for roughly ten minutes, amid driving rain.
The game won’t be remembered for the quality of football but the spectators present saw the game open up after the break. Incisive runs from Ian Tuner were the early highlights, while the winger fired wide early on, with Richard Brush in the Rovers goal never worried.
The game kicked into life just before the break. Gaffney had a deflected shot fly wide, and Prince Agyemang went close from the corner, drilling a shot that was hacked off the line by a Rovers defender. Brush had little protection from there on, as Limerick asserted themselves after the break.
Patrick Nzuzi, who looked to support attacks throughout the game, whipped a delicious cross into the box that Gaffney had no hassle in heading home. Brush was angry with his defence who did little to prevent the cross.
A penalty appeal shortly afterwards saw Ian Turner booked for diving, but it was Limerick who were on top by then.
Lee Lynch had two efforts in quick succession as David Cawley struggled to get to terms with his former teammates movement. Lynch first drilled low at Brush but his second effort should have been a goal. A quick exchange with Gaffney left the midfielder through on goal, he fired against the on-rushing 'keeper, when he should have scored.
Sligo's rather tame performance was lifted with 15 minutes to go. Danny North and Eamon Zayed had struggled all night, but Ruairi Keating was introduced and he helped raise the performance level.
Nzuzi conceded a free-kick when Sligo wanted a penalty; Ledwith fired the dead-ball off the bar, with Ali Abass getting a finger to it. The resultant corner was half-cleared; Gary Armstrong struck a rasping drive at goal, only for the impressive Abass to tip over once more.
As the game became more stretched, Gaffney had more chances to add to his 14 League goals, but Brush saved one before Gaffneys near-perfect chip sailed over the bar. Limerick though, held on for a deserved three points.
It leaves Russells men in the top-half ahead of a trip to Shamrock Rovers, while Sligo will need something against St. Pats to ensure of 5th place.
Limerick FC: Ali Abass; Patrick Nzuzi, Michael Leahy, Samuel Oji, Shane O’Connor; Prince Agyemang (Shane Tracy 66), Ian Turner (Ross Mann 66), Shane Duggan ©, Kieran Djilali, Lee-J Lynch; Rory Gaffney.
Subs not Used: Shane Cusack (gk), Tony Whitehead, Darragh Rainsford, Colm Murphy, Val Feeney.
Booked: Ian Turner (56), Nzuzi (72)
Sligo Rovers: Richard Brush; Gary Boylan (Gary Armstrong 46), Evan McMillan, Kalen Spillane, Danny Ledwith; Paul O’Conor, David Cawley, Seamus Conneely, Raffaele Cretaro (Regan Donelon 89); Eamon Zayed, Danny North (Ruairi Keating 66).
Subs Not Used: Ryan McManus, Jeff Henderson.
Booked: Kalen Spillane (88).
Referee: Kevin O'Regan
Attendance:
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Lee Lynch (Limerick).
