- Tom Clancy
- Mon, Aug 17 2015
There were goals aplenty at Markets Field as Limerick and Longford Town played out an enthralling 3-3 before 1,779 fans. Limerick raced into a two goal lead but were pegged back by half-time. Robbie Williams looked to be the hero until Stephen Rice headed home twenty minutes before the end.
Limerick were unchanged from their 3-2 success in Cork while Longford lined out in a 4-1-4-1 formation, after going down 3-1 against Shamrock Rovers on Friday. The game began with Limerick appearing confident as they went in search of a fourth success in a row.
On 15 minutes Turner gave his side the lead. He drifted beyond the Longford centre-half Rhys Gorman before his step-over allowed him the time to drill low beyond Hunt. Within minutes, Limerick were firmly in control. Scrappy play on the right wing ended with Lee-J Lynch firing a cross into the area. This was half cleared to the onrushing Shane Tracy who fired home with a rasping strike.
The Markets Field was now in full voice. But it wasn’t long before Longford woke up. Ayman Ben Mohamed exposed Limerick’s set piece weakness as he swung the ball onto the head of Rhys Gorman to cut the deficit.
Then, with the half petering out, the hosts were pegged back. The visitors broke at speed before Mark Salmon added to his account. The captain rounded Freddy Hall and slotted the ball home despite the efforts of Shane Tracy on the goal-line.
After the restart Limerick regained the momentum. Dean Clarke and then Paul O’Conor went close for the hosts before Williams got his first of the season.
The centre-half sent a superb header beyond Paul Hunt after Duggan swung a recycled corner into the area. Limerick had lost Lee-J Lynch through injury, after another influential display.
The lead didn’t last long, with Stephen Rice satisfying the 40 away fans after climbing highest to head beyond Hall.
The Blues pressed for a winner, but Paul Hunt and his determined defence were equal to all that came at them and Limerick’s survival hopes received a set-back. Longford make it two-points from three games as they look to keep themselves in mid-table.
Limerick: Freddy Hall; Paul O’Conor, Paudie O’Connor, Robbie Williams, Shane Tracy; Shane Duggan, Lee-J Lynch (Shaun Kelly 59), Sean Russell, Ian Turner, Dean Clarke; Vinny Faherty.
Subs not used: Tommy Holland, Patrick Kanyuka, Prince Agyemang, Darragh Rainsford, Cyril Guedjé, Ross Mann.
Booked: O’Connor (70), Williams (90+2)
Longford Town: Paul Hunt; Jamie Mulhall, Rhys Gorman, Mark Rossiter, Conor Powell; Ayman Ben Mohamed (Dean Kelly 57), Kevin O’Connor, Lorcan Shannon, Mark Salmon (Philip Gannon 86); Gary Shaw.
Subs not used: Paul Skinner, Martin Deady, Kaleem Simon, David O’Sullivan, Jack Doherty, Dean Kelly.
Booked: Rice (80), Kelly (88)
Referee: Ben Connolly.
Attendance: 1,779.
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Shane Duggan (Limerick).
