- Dave Donnelly
- Sat, May 12 2018
A second-half strike by Ryan Brennan was enough to give St Patrick’s Athletic a 1-0 win over Limerick at the Markets Field.
Limerick managed to create the first chance of the game as Danny Morrissey played in Conor Clifford but his shot failed to bother Barry Murphy in the Saints net.
Pats beat Limerick 1-0 at Richmond Park earlier this season and they almost took the lead early in the half as Ian Bermingham played through Jake Keegan but his shot went wide of the post
Limerick could have led on 19 minutes but a last-ditch block by Kevin Toner kept the scores level from Colm Walsh O’Loughlen's shot.
Four yellow cards in a four-minute spell in the first half had tempers flaring on Shannonside as neither side were giving an advantage in the opening minutes.
With half an hour played, Pats had another chance as Dean Clarke set up Keegan, but his dipping volley flew over the bar.
Limerick had an opportunity to go ahead before the break as Cian Coleman won the ball from Ryan Brennan in midfield and was fouled in the process but referee Ray Matthews waved away advantage as Shane Duggan had a go from distance, stinging the palms of Barry Murphy.
Limerick came out stronger in the opening stages of the first half and the best chance fell to Danny Morrissey as broke past Lee Desmond before his shot was well saved by the impressive Murphy.
Pats created a chance of their own as Clarke played the ball through for Keegan, but his effort was saved by Limerick keeper Brendan Clarke.
Clarke caused problems again as he set up Conan Byrne, but his goal bound effort was blocked by Eoin Wearen, leading to a chaotic goalmouth scramble that ended with Ryan Brennan heading just wide.
Pats took the lead 18 minutes from time as Ryan Brennan breached the Limerick defence before sending a shot high into the top corner past Brendan Clarke.
Murphy again kept Limerick at bay with reaction save from close range to deny Karl O’Sullivan and keep the score at 1-0 in favour of the Saints.
Limerick remain second bottom in the table, two points behind Sligo Rovers, while the Saints move up to fifth place.
Limerick: Brendan Clarke; Killian Cantwell, Killian Brouder, Billy Dennehy, Eoin Wearen; Conor Clifford, Cian Coleman (Mark O’Sullivan 82), Shane Duggan; Colm Walsh-O’Loughlen (Karl O’Sullivan (58), Will Fitzgerald (Daniel Kearns 68), Danny Morrissey.
Subs not used: Tommy Holland (gk), Shane Tracy, Tony Whitehead, Barry Maguire.
Booked: Cian Coleman (21), Killian Brouder (23), Colm Walsh O-Loughlen (25), Eoin Wearen (90)
St. Patrick’s Athletic: Barry Murphy; Simon Madden, Kevin Toner, Lee Desmond, Ian Bermingham; Killian Brennan (Daragh Markey 65), Jamie Lennon, Ryan Brennan; Conan Byrne (Thomas Byrne 89), Dean Clarke, Jake Keegan (Christy Fagan 58).
Subs not used: Tyson Farago (gk), Michael Barker, Graham Kelly, Michael Leahy.
Booked: Killian Brennan (22), Jamie Lennon (65).
Referee: Ray Matthews (Westmeath)
Attendance: TBC
