- Tom Clancy
- Sun, Mar 27 2016
Limerick made it four wins from four First Division games when they trounced a poor Athlone Town side at a wet Athlone Town Stadium. The visitors had five different scorers as they opened up a six-point gap on the chasing pack.
The Midlanders had little answer for the Limerick onslaught and after a series of promising openings, teenager Paudie O’Connor finished a Shane Tracy corner at the back post. Robbie Williams added a second after Stephen Kenny picked him out following a neat short corner.
The switch of ends allowed Athlone to re-group and they were unlucky when David Cassidy had his shot headed off the line from Shane Tracy following a series of errors in the Limerick defence. Alan O’Sullivan then hit the woodwork, minutes after Robbie Williams had done the same at the opposite end.
But, as the rain continued to fall, Limerick drove home their dominance. Eight seconds of play had elapsed following his introduction, and John O’Flynn fired past the busy home ‘keeper, Evan Moran.
It was four minutes later when Aaron Greene squared for Lynch, who delighted the visiting support with a neat finish. Then, as the clock ticked towards the 90th minute, Greene squared again, this time for his skipper, Shane Duggan who made no mistake.
Athlone must re-group before they face a stern test at UCD next Friday, while Martin Russell will be delighted with his sides first shut out, with Shelbourne the next outfit to test Limerick’s 100% start.
Athlone Town: Evan Moran; Calvin Douglas (Daniel Molloy 73), Jack Tuite, Kevin Farragher, Marco Chindea; Adam Kelly (Simon Dixon 57), Alan O’Sullivan, Daniel Purdy, David Cassidy, Emeka Onwubiko (Cian O’Sulllivan 84); Alan O’Sullivan.
Subs not used: Sean Nolan, Darren Kavanagh, Daryl Carrigy, Ross Purdy.
Yellow Cards: Farragher (54), Tuite (61), Onwubiko (79).
Limerick FC: Freddy Hall; Paul O’Conor, Paudie O’Connor, Robbie Williams, Shane Tracy; Shane Duggan, Lee Lynch, Garbhan Coughlan, Stephen Kenny, Chris Mulhall (John O’Flynn 72), Aaron Greene.
Subs not used: Tommy Holland, Liam McCartan, Ross Mann, Tony Whitehead, Jordan Moore.
Yellow Cards: None.
Referee: Michael Connolly
Attendance: 550 (estimate)
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Robbie Williams (Limerick)
