Limerick FC 1 - 1 Monaghan United

• Andrew Cunneen
• Sat, Jul 24 2010


Both promotion chasing sides share the spoils after a controversial game at Jackman Park, although perhaps Limerick will feel hard done by as Monaghan escape with a point they probably didn’t deserve.

The home side started brightly as a well placed pass from Stephen O’Flynn found Timmy Kiely, whose effort deflected off Alan Byrne. The ricochet fell to Shane Tracy however the winger dwelled too long on the ball resulting in a Monaghan clearance.

The deadlock was almost broken inside twenty minutes when a Sean Kelly free kick was acrobatically tipped over the bar by Monaghan stopper, Gabriel Sava. Limerick were really starting to get a grip on the game at hand.

Shane Tracy, who had his long range effort fizz over the crossbar moments before, was the scorer of the opener for the home side. Sean Kelly lofted a ball into the box from the right, his pin point cross found the head of Tracy and he made no mistake.

With The Blues in the ascendancy, Stephen O’Flynn nearly added to the total with a shot that just dragged wide of the right hand post. It appeared only a matter of time before Limerick would get that all important second goal. The home side probably didn’t want the half time whistle, however their efforts were stalled by Graham Kelly, who blew for the break.

A more cautious Limerick team re-emerged from the dressing room after the break, almost inviting Monaghan upon them. Luckily for Limerick, both Paddy Purcell and Dave Rogers were on song in this encounter dealing with everything the visitors had to offer.

The introduction of John Tierney just passed the hour mark was sure to test those tired Monaghan legs. He replaced Stephen O’Flynn. The real standout player for the home side however was David O’Leary. At the age of eighteen, his composure and passing ability was second to none and he will surely be a big player for the Blues in their run-in.

Monaghan switched to a more attacking formation later on in the game, placing substitute Karl Bermingham up front with Phillip Hughes. However it was a run from winger Cathal O’Connor along the edge of the eighteen yard box which caused Limerick problems. Paddy Purcell slid in, and as a result of what appeared to the majority as a fair challenge, referee Graham Kelly awarded Monaghan a spot-kick. Phillip Hughes stepped up to take it, although saved by Dave Ryan after tipping it onto the crossbar, Hughes himself followed up by knocking home the rebound.

A deflated Limerick side pushed on creating chance after chance, but to no avail. The best of which was a late free kick from Tracy who opted for placement rather than power. A questionable decision considering he was so close to goal.

Shane Clarke was introduced late on, however this late introduction gave him little or no time to have any impact as the away side held on for what they would consider themselves, a luck draw. Limerick stay three points behind Monaghan going into next week’s crucial tie with fellow promotion hopefuls Shelbourne in Drumcondra.

Limerick FC: Ryan, Kelly, Purcell, Rogers, Deady, Kiely, O’Leary, Sullivan (Lyons 72), Kavanagh (Clarke 87), Tracy, O’Flynn (Tierney 65).
Subs not Used: McGuinness, Cahill.
Booked: Kelly.

Monaghan Utd: Sava, Collins, Grimes, Byrne, McMahon, Tierney, O’Connor, McCrossan, Brennan (Bermingham 67), Hughes, Clancy.
Subs not Used: Clarke, Hanapy, Costigan, McKevitt.
Booked: Byrne, Tierney.

Referee: Graham Kelly
Man of the Match: David O’Leary
Attendance: 495