Limerick 6 - 1 Athlone Town

• David Byrne
• Sat, Sep 12 2009


Limerick FC climbed to sixth place in the League of Ireland First Division tonight with a highly convincing 6-1 victory over Athlone Town at Jackman Park.

Seven goals, a red card, a hat-trick and a penalty. Tonight’s game had it all. A disappointing crowd of 240 witnessed a classic at Jackman Park as Pat Scully’s side trounced Brendan Place’s young team

Limerick started brightly and this continued until the final whistle as an all-round performance will have pleased Pat Scully and Limerick’s home support.

It was obvious that it was going to be Limerick’s night after only six minutes of play when John Tierney broke through the Athlone defence and pulled it back to Shane Tracey whose effort was saved by Alex O’ Reilly and Stephen O’ Flynn headed over from the resulting corner.

Limerick enjoyed as close to full possession as possible in the opening minutes and their domination nearly paid off in the 16th minute but Bobby Tier’s effort was blocked by Des Hope after an excellent string of passes split open the Athlone defence.

On 17 minutes, Athlone had a rare opportunity but David Ryan was equal to Anthony Hayes’ header shot.

Three minutes later, Daryl Kavanagh took full opportunity of a mistake by Athlone full back David Tyrell to give Limerick the lead in the 20th minute. A poor pass gave Kavanagh the chance to intercept the ball and after a burst of pace towards the edge of the penalty area, he shot low into the left hand corner of Alex O’Reilly’s goal.

Limerick continued to dominate and they were rewarded again in the 26th minute when they doubled their lead through a Shane Tracey free kick after John Tierney was brought down by Des Hope on the edge of the penalty area as he tried to turn towards goal.

Athlone’s misery continued when Stephen O’ Flynn added a third to Limerick’s score sheet in the 36th minute. After an excellent through ball by Bobby Tier, Kavanagh crossed towards the Athlone box, where Stephen O’ Flynn rose above Des Hope to find the back of the net.

Luke Hardy became the scapegoat for Athlone as he was replaced by Niall O’ Reilly in the 39th minute as the visitors looked to salvage something from the game.

It remained 3-0 to the hosts until half time as Brendan Place looked to make changes so Athlone could salvage something from the game.

Alex O’Reilly was Brendan Place’s second victim as he was replaced by Barry Andrews at the break.

Athlone’s changes paid off after only three minutes of the second half when Gary Murphy’s cross was bundled home by Limerick’s Jason Hughes to give Athlone a glimmer of hope through an own goal.

The goal proved to be a consolation as Limerick continued to dominate and they got their fourth when Shane Tracy scored a penalty in the 58th minute after John Tierney was fouled by Robbie Hamm in the penalty area. Hamm was sent off by referee Kieran Callahan as a result of being the last man back.

John Tierney nearly made it five in the 64th minute but his effort was pushed onto the post by Athlone’s Barry Andrews. Athlone now had their back to goals as they looked to keep a rampant Limerick FC at bay.

Athlone’s ten men could no longer withhold the pressure and Stephen O’ Flynn made it 5-1 in the 75th minute. With his back to goal, O’ Flynn got his second and his sides fifth after he flicked John Boyle’s in-swinging cross into the corner of the net.

The scoring continued and Limerick’s Stephen O’ Flynn got his hatrick in the 80th minute when his excellently taken free kick ended up in the back of Andrew’s net to the embarrassment of the travelling Athlone support.

The free kick was rewarded after Barry Andrews handled the ball outside his area. Limerick could have had more but it remained 6-1 one to the hosts, a result which will be much welcomed by Pat Scully and his staff after his sides recent inconsistent form.

A well deserved win for Limerick and a much needed confidence boost before next Friday’s difficult trip to League leaders Shelbourne.

Limerick FC: David Ryan, Jason Hughes, Martin Deady, Gavin Roche, Conor Molan, Daryl Kavanagh (John Boyle 72), Thomas Lyons (Wayne Colbert 52), Bobby Tier, Shane Tracey, John Tierney (Robbie Kelleher 76), Stephen O’ Flynn. Substitutes not used: Aaron Gilmartin, Dave McGrath.

Athlone Town: Alex O’ Reilly (Niall Andrews 45), Robbie Hahm (Sent off 58), David Tyrell, Luke Hardy (Niall Hardy 39), Des Hope, Anthony Hayes, Gary Murphy, Stephen Place, Austin Skelly (Noel McGee 72), Robert Benson, David O’ Connor. Substitutes not used: Franco Georgescu, Tom O’ Halloran.

Attendance: 240

Referee: K. Callahan (Cork)

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Stephen O’ Flynn. A hat-trick and all round excellent performance from Limerick FC’s star man. Expect Premier Division clubs to be calling soon if his form keeps up.