- Tom Clancy
- Wed, May 04 2016
First Division Limerick advanced to the last four of the EA Sports Cup on Tuesday evening, when they disposed of Galway United at Markets Field.
Goals from Paudie O’Connor and Captain Shane Duggan gave Limerick the advantage that they rarely looked like relinquishing against a disinterested looking United side.
Limerick’s dominance over the First Division has been well documented, but the gap in divisions wasn’t nearly clear cut as they went at Galway from the off.
Just four minutes were on the clock when Lee-J Lynch passed up a glorious opening. The midfielder fired well over with the goal at his mercy and Galway keeper Kevin Horgan stranded.
Defender Robbie Williams almost scored a wonderful goal from long range, his powerful shot bounced down off the bar and away to safety.
Limerick’s build up play was superb, with Stephen Kenny, Chris Mulhall and Sean Russell linking well with their solid midfield behind. Kenny’s performance was nothing short of excellent, and he was fouled by Marc Ludden for the opening goal.
Full-back Shane Tracy found Williams with the wide set piece, and the ball found its way to Paudie O’Connor, who swept home. The teenager finding the net for the third time in Limerick colours.
Limerick pressed for a second, but to their credit, Armin Aganovic and Killian Cantwell defended gallantly and limited Mulhall to scraps.
At the other end, Freddy Hall was under-employed, though his concentration levels were questioned when he spilled a tame Ruairi Keating shot behind for a corner.
The change of ends initially did little to change the pattern of play. Limerick continued in the same vein, though they did lose Lee-J Lynch after he shipped a heavy challenge just prior to the interval. However. the second goal came soon after.
An attack broke down with Duggan raiding through the United rear-guard, only for Mulhall to regain the ball and slip in his captain to stroke the ball beyond Horgan. Duggan appeared offside but Galway complaints fell on deaf ears.
A double change from Tommy Dunne saw first team regulars Ryan Connolly and John O’Sullivan introduced. The pair did help in gaining a foothold in midfield, but testing Hall was a rare sight.
The visitors did hit the bar, however, a long throw-in being flicked on by a combination of O’Sullivan and Curran only for Hall to instinctively get a glove to the ball and touch it onto the bar.
Limerick native Gary Shanahan, who’d given Limerick a torrid time last season, was next to come close. He ghosted past Tracy, only for the pressure from the full-back to force Shanahan to fire over.
That was as good as it got, Limerick saw out the game professionally, with Mulhall going close late on when he dragging an effort wide. Limerick advance to join Shamrock Rovers, St. Patricks Athletic and Derry City in the semi-finals of the EA Sports Cup. They travel to Cobh on Saturday evening, a day after Galway United visit champions Dundalk.
Limerick: Freddy Hall; Shaun Kelly (Tony Whitehead 67), Paudie O’Connor, Robbie Williams, Shane Tracy; Shane Duggan, Paul O’Conor, Lee-J Lynch (Ross Mann), Stephen Kenny, Sean Russell; Chris Mulhall.
Subs not used: Tommy Holland (gk), Shane Costelloe, Colm Murphy, Séan McSweeney, Jordan Moore.
Yellow Cards: None.
Galway United: Kevin Horgan; Cormac Raferty, Armin Aganovic, Killian Cantwell, Marc Ludden; Alex Byrne, Eric Foley (Ryan Connolly 59), Gary Shanahan, Conor Melody (John Sullivan 58); Ruairí Keating, Enda Curran (Jesse Devers 76).
Subs not Used: Connor Glesson (gk), Colm Horgan, Stephen Walsh, Paul Sinnott.
Yellow Cards: Curran (45), Ludden (64).
Referee: Anthony Buttimer
Official Attendance: 937.
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Shane Duggan (Limerick).
