Limerick FC 2 - 1 Mervue United

• David Byrne
• Sat, Sep 05 2009


Limerick FC held onto a precious 2-1 victory against fellow First Division strugglers Mervue United at Jackman Park tonight. After an excellent first half performance, Limerick were cruising at half time but a late Neil Keane penalty gave the hosts a nervy finish.

First half goals from Daryl Kavanagh and Shane Tracey gave Limerick a healthy advantage, but the visitors recovered well in the second half to at least create chances and they were rewarded for their persistence in the 83rd minute when Keane coolly slot home to give Mervue a glimmer of hope in the remaining minutes.

The home side were highly motivated, following an unlucky defeat against U.C.D. last Friday and despite a poor attendance of just 284. Pat Scully’s side were without the services of club captain Pat Purcell as youngster Gavin Roche filled in at centre back against a Mervue side full of confidence following a battling 3-1 victory against Athlone Town last weekend.

There was just four minutes on the clock when Limerick’s John Tierney went close to scoring but former Limerick defender Paul Danagher did enough to put the Limerick striker off as he headed towards Eoin Martin in the Mervue goals.

Limerick’s loyal supporters were rewarded after just ten minutes of play when the in-form Daryl Kavanagh finished an excellent move from Pat Scully’s side.

Limerick’s confidence grew as Mervue began to defend deeper and tried to hit Limerick on the break. Their best opportunity to equalise was saved by David Ryan in goals as David Goldbey broke away from the Limerick defence from one such counter attack.

Despite Mervue’s short period of domination, Limerick doubled their lead on 15 minutes. A series of precise passes from Limerick created the breakthrough, as Shane Tracey slotted the ball into the corner of the net to the delight of the home crowd.

Limerick continued to press after their goal, with Kavanagh and Tracey controlling the play from midfield. Their pressure was nearly rewarded for the third time in the first half, but Martin pushed over another powerful shot from Kavanagh in the final minutes of the first half.

As the second half began, Limerick should have added a third, but yet another chance was squandered as Mervue looked to get back into the game.

Mervue began to push forward in search of that all important first goal but Limerick’s David Ryan kept out second half efforts from Goldbey and Mark Ludden.

Mervue’s pressure paid off in the 83rd minute, though, and it was substitute Neil Keane who gave the Galwegians a lifeline in the final minutes of the game at Jackman Park. After a clash in the penalty area, the visitors were rewarded a controversial penalty which Keane coolly finished with seven minutes left to grab a levelller.

As it turned out, Mervue’s goal turned out to be a consolation but a better second half performance will have pleased Johnny Glynn as he prepares his side to host Finn Harps at Terryland Park next weekend.

Limerick FC: David Ryan, Jason Hughes, Martin Deady, Conor Molan, Gavin Roche, Dave McGrath, Shane Tracey, Bobby Tier, Daryl Kavanagh, John Tierney, Thomas Lyons.
Substitutes used: Stephen O’Flynn, John Boyle, Wayne Colbert.
Substitutes unused: Brian Collopy, Robbie Kelleher.

Mervue United: Eoin Martin, Kenny Farrell, Nicky Curran, Damien O’ Rourke, Paul Danagher, Gary Traynor, Eric Browne, Mike Tierney, David Goldbey, Nigel Keady, Mark Ludden.
Substitutes used: Kevin Crehan, David O’Dowd, Neil Keane.
Substitutes unused: Evan Connelly, Alex Lee.

Referee: K. Callanan.

Attendance: 284.

Extratime.ie man of the match: Daryl Kavanagh. He scored Limerick’s opener and was fantastic throughout the rest of tonight’s game.