- Dave Donnelly
- Sun, Apr 26 2015
Brandon Miele struck late to deny Limerick a morale-boosting first win of the season at Jackman Park.
Shamrock Rovers' winger pounced on Danny North's blocked shot with four minutes remaining to preserve Pat Fenlon's side's unbeaten league record.
Limerick manager Martin Russell expressed confidence during the week that his team's performances would eventually start to yield points, and his words were validated by a battling performance that so nearly resulted in three points.
Russell made two changes to the side that had lost 2-0 here to Derry City on Monday, with Robbie Williams and Jason Hughes making way for Paudie O'Connor and Ian Turner. Fenlon made four changes, with captain Conor Kenna returning after he was rested in the win over Bray.
Limerick captain Shane Duggan gave the home side a surprise lead after just 13 minutes when he latched onto Sean Russell's through-ball and kept his composure to shoot powerfully past Craig Hyland in the Rovers goal and in off the post.
Ryan Brennan had called O'Donnell into action with a close-range header in the early minutes but it was the only shot the visitors could register on target in the first half, and Limerick were unfortunate not to extend their lead when Dean Clarke headed Ian Turner's cross narrowly wide.
Keith Fahey had an opportunity to tie things up on the stroke of half time when Luke Byrne's left-wing cross found him at the back post, but with the goal gaping he managed to shoot wide.
Rovers took control of the game in the second half and had the ball in the net on the hour mark only for an offside flag to rule out Ryan Brennan's deft header. Brennan had O'Donnell beaten again shortly afterwards but his rasping shot couldn't beat the post.
The woodwork came to the fore again with 15 minutes remaining as substitute Miele crashed a free-kick off the bar, and when Shane Tracy scrambled to clear Mikey Drennan's shot from the line it appeared Limerick had done just about enough to hang on.
However, with time running out, former Newcastle United youth Miele found himself the fortunate beneficiary of North's deflected shot, scoring his second goal for the club and in the process staked his claim for a more regular role in a goal-shy Rovers team.
Limerick FC: Conor O’Donnell; Sean Harding, Aidan Price, Paudie O’Connor, Shane Tracy; Ian Turner (Darragh Rainsford 73), Shane Duggan, Paul O’Conor, Sean Russell; Vinny Faherty; Dean Clarke (Jason Hughes 82)
Subs not used: Tommy Holland (gk), Tony Whitehead, Val Feeney, Kieran Hanlon, Ross Mann.
Booked: Paudie O'Connor (33), Aidan Price (90+1).
Shamrock Rovers: Craig Hyland; Simon Madden, Conor Kenna, David O’Connor, Luke Byrne; Pat Cregg (Brandon Miele 61), Ryan Brennan; Sean O’Connor (Danny North 61), Keith Fahey, Gavin Brennan; Mikey Drennan.
Subs not used: Barry Murphy (gk), Tim Clancy, Stephen McPhail, Gary McCabe, Kieran 'Marty' Waters.
Booked: None.
Referee: Graham Kelly.
Attendance: 564.
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Shane Duggan (Limerick).
