Limerick 3 - 2 Athlone Town

• Andrew Cunneen
• Sat, Aug 07 2010


Limerick prevail from this epic encounter in Jackman Park by a single goal, although Athlone will feel they deserved a point.

In what started off a very open game, it lacked any clear cut chances in the first twenty minutes, with Athlone looking most likely from the counter attack. Limerick welcomed back Jason Hughes who is out on loan to Brendan Place’s side, and former fan favourite Wayne Colbert to Jackman Park.

Ironically enough, it was Hughes who opened the scoring for the visitors, Ryan McEvoy placed a through ball into Hughes’ path, who managed to slide it past the out-rushing Dave Ryan in the Limerick goal. Hughes clearly wanted to show he deserved a first team place with the Shannonsiders.

Limerick pushed on from here, although their best chance of the half came from a Sean Kelly cross which was drilled towards John Sullivan, the ex-Hamilton midfielder only got minimal contact, and the ball fell comfortably for Schlingermann in the Athlone goal.

As the second half started, Limerick began to pressure the Athlone defence, and yet another Sean Kelly cross caused problems, however no Limerick player was on hand to convert the chance as the ball went harmlessly wide.

Just shy of the hour mark, Athlone were penetrated. A corner from Shane Tracy left Schlingermann helplessly flapping, while Stephen O’Flynn seized the opportunity to hook the ball into the net to equalize. The pressure told, and Athlone found themselves on the back foot.

Ten minutes later, Limerick took the lead. A superb piece of football it was too with Shane Tracy finding the feet of talisman O’Flynn, who laid off for Sullivan to strike home from twenty yards. A well worked goal, one that relieved the home crowd.

Before the celebrations even ended from the home side, Athlone had won themselves a corner. Uncharacteristically, Dave Rogers lost Austin Skelly, and the Athlone front-man headed home. What appeared to be a relatively weak header, managed to creep over the line, and into the back of the net, a major setback for the home side.

Although Limerick had to be aware of the threat Athlone posed on the counter attack, they needed to search for the winner. Their prayers were almost answered immediately in a reversal of roles, as O’Flynn spotted Bobby Ryans’ run to the far post. Expertly picked out, the Limerick native could only find the side-netting. The angle was tough in fairness to Ryan.

The introduction of Shane Clarke lifted the home side, his energy was more than obvious and appeared the only real sign of a breakthrough. He was soon to be accompanied by Timmy Kiely, who replaced the ever- present Shane Tracy. Limerick needed to push on from here.

Jackman Park became quite tense with news of Monaghans’ performance, and the home crowd urged on their team. Struggling the keep the ball down, Limerick didn’t look value for their favourites tag, and a winner seemed unlikely.

Despite all this, Stephen O’Flynn popped up once again to the rescue of The Blues. With only ten minutes remaining on the clock, Shane Tracy picked out the run of Sean Kelly once more. The full backs cross found O’Flynn and he sent the home fans into raptures with a tap-in.

With Athlone giving their all, Limerick found more space to go forward on the break, and they nearly found themselves with another goal, as Ryan crossed for O’Flynn to complete his hat-trick. The header went just over the crossbar, but more importantly, wasted valuable seconds.

Limerick saw out the remainder, and move into the playoff spots much the delight of the home support.

Limerick FC: Ryan, Judge, Purcell, Rogers, Kelly, Ryan, Sullivan, Heary(White 67) , Tracy(Kiely 87) , Tierney(Clarke 57) , O’Flynn. Athlone Town:Referee: Stuart Templeman Attendance: 538 Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Stephen O’Flynn