- Seamus Egan
- Sat, May 03 2014
Two missed penalties, a red card and a late goal all contributed to a dramatic night at the Tallaght Stadium where Shamrock Rovers and Limerick drew 1-1 in the Airtricity Premier Division.
Following a slow start, the first real chance of the game didn't arrive until the 12th minute. After Limerick failed to properly clear a Shamrock Rovers free kick, the ball broke to Kieran Marty Waters on the left of the area. The former Bray winger shot across the face of goal but his effort shaved the post and went wide.
Just two minutes later Limerick went in front from a set piece. Shane Tracy delivered from the left hand side and Rory Gaffney was there to guide his header into the corner of the net much to the delight of manager Stuart Taylor who didn't hesitate to show his joy.
Rovers came close to getting back on level terms shortly afterwards. Waters was fouled on the edge of the area. He played a clever free kick to Gary McCabe. McCabe's effort looked destined for the corner of the net but Barry Ryan, who had an eventful night, dived low to his right and made a fine save.
The home team continued to have most of the possession as the half went on but struggled to create any clear cut opportunities. The visitors, who wore all yellow, were resolute in defence of their lead.
Indeed it was Gaffney who nearly added a second in the 37th minute. Ryan Brennan gave the ball away inside his own half. The red haired Limerick striker gathered possession and went around a couple of Shamrock Rovers players. He then hit a fine strike from about 25 yards out which went just wide.
Trevor Croly's team were presented with a chance to equalize at the start of the second half. Left back Robbie Williams fouled Gary McCabe on the edge of the area. McCabe, who didn’t have one of his better nights in a Hoops jersey, took the resultant free kick but it was a disappointing strike which went over the top.
There was drama in the 63rd minute. Referee Rob Rodgers awarded a penalty to Shamrock Rovers and then booked Samuel Oji. Gary McCabe stepped up to take the spot kick. He hesitated before hitting it to the right of Ryan. However the Limerick goalkeeper dived the correct way and made the save.
The Hoops dominated most of the play as the game went on but Limerick who were constantly urged on and encouraged by their manager, in contrast to his opposite number who remained subdued for much of the match, continued to give little away.
Jason McGuinness who was a threat from set pieces throughout the match did come close in the 83th minute to an equalizer. Sean O'Connor's corner from the left was met by the head of the Rovers centre half but his effort went wide.
Limerick who were also backed by constant support from their travelling fans throughout, continued to get men behind the ball to very good effect as the game drew towards its' conclusion.
It looked as if they were going to emerge victorious until deep into injury time. From a Shamrock Rovers corner goalkeeper Barry Ryan fouled Karl Sheppard. Referee Rob Rodgers gave the home side their second penalty of the night. He also gave Ryan his second yellow card.
Limerick had used all of their substitutions so Keith Tracy went in goal. Substitute Sean O'Connor took the penalty. Tracy saved but Jason McGuinness headed the rebound into the net much to the relief of the home fans.
After six minutes plus of injury time Rodgers blew the final whistle to end the contest. It was a match which was not high on quality but there was plenty of drama in it to keep everybody present on the edge of their seats until the end.
Shamrock Rovers: Barry Murphy; Simon Madden, Robert Cornwall, Jason McGuinness, Luke Byrne; Gary McCabe, Ryan Brennan, Shane Robinson (c), Robert Bayly (Karl Sheppard 58), Kieran Marty Waters (Sean O'Connor 77); Ciaran Kilduff.
Subs not used: Craig Hyland (gk), Sean Heaney, David O'Connor, Evan Osam.
Booked: Roinson (84), McGuinness (90+2).
Limerick: Barry Ryan; Shaun Kelly, Samuel Oji, Stephen Folan, Robbie Williams; Prince Agyemang (Danny Galbraith 71), Shane Duggan (c), James McGrath (Darragh Rainsford 79), Jason Hughes, Shane Tracy; Rory Gaffney (Ross Mann 90).
Subs not used: Shane Cusack (gk), Tony Whitehead, Colm Murphy, Patrick Nzuzi.
Booked: Agyemang (29), Oji (63), B Ryan (90).
Sent off: B Ryan (90+4).
Referee: Rob Rodgers
Attendance: 2,218
Extratime.ie man of the match: Stephen Folan (Limerick FC).
