Limerick 3 - 0 Athlone Town

• Andrew Cunneen
• Sat, Apr 30 2011


Limerick produced their best performance of the season to put a poor Athlone team to the sword on Shannonside. Three goals the difference, in an exciting game.

A fast paced opening from Limerick saw Peter Hynes float a cross right into the six yard box, Paudie Quinn the target. The Kerryman misjudged the flight of the ball, and the cross flew into touch for a goal kick. Inches being the difference early on for Limerick.

Athlone may feel hard done by as a Bobby Tier effort flew into a crowd of players, appearing to strike a Limerick hand inside the box, referee Sean Grant ignored the pleas on waved play on. Tier, along with his fellow ex-Limerick midfielder Tommy Barrett were far from impressed.

To add salt to the wounds of Mike Kerley’s side, Limerick’s opener came no more than sixty seconds after that incident. Some great play from Paudie Quinn on the right, saw him find the Jeffrey Judge with the most delicate of through balls. Judge himself showed his finesse with a little dink over Schlingermann. The ball finding rest in the bottom corner of the net.

Midway through the first half, Limerick got a corner. Tracy swung in with deadly accuracy to find O’Flynn swing a boot at it. Looking destined for goal, the ball swerved off path thanks to a deflection. The following corner was almost spilled by the Athlone number one, who clearly struggled under the high ball. This was highlighted moments later as a cross from the right hand side appeared to be food and drink for the keeper, however, he managed to drop the ball, re-gather and lose control once more as no Limerick body could poke home for a second goal. The ball was eventually cleared, but Limerick began to cross more frequently in the hope of more spillages from Schlingermann.

Athlone’s first attempt didn’t arrive until five minutes before the half time whistle, as Bobby Tier, who was Athlone’s best player on the night, fired well over from twenty yards. The signs were ominous for the ‘Town.

The home fans had barely returned to their seats when Limerick scored once more. A Shane Tracy corner, two minutes after the restart, found Brian McCarthy rising highest in the six yard box. His boot directed the ball forcefully fast Schlingermann, who had no hope. McCarthy, who has become a fan favourite since joining from Athlone Town, recorded his first goal for his new club.

The home side went into cruise control and almost added a third immediately after as Tracy made a jinking run down the left side, he squared inch perfectly for Hynes. The striker somehow managed to miscontrol, and the ball became trapped under his feet. A wasted opportunity.

A major talking point in a match which saw a few hasty challenges, will be the sending off Athlone full back Niall Scullion. The accused lost possession to Stephen O’Flynn, then kicked out at the striker in frustration. Sean Grant reached for his back pocket, and had no choice but to give him his marching orders.

Athlone's best chance fell to Limerick hero Tommy Barrett. He found space in the box, a beautiful ball into the box was tailor made for Barrett but his contact too clean to beat Ryan as the ball flew over the bar and into the night sky.

Stephen O’Flynn, who was constantly frustrated all night, showed signs of real class at times, no more so than controlling a ball which flew over his shoulder. He then cut inside, shaped to shoot, and his effort flew just over the Athlone bar. He was to have another chance before affairs ended this evening.

The talisman, O’Flynn, thought he had finally found a way to goal, as Garbhan Coughlan ran the ball to the byline, skipping past Ronan Stack. He crossed to the near post and finished with a venomous strike. As he wheeled off in celebration, the flag denied him his goal. He was deemed offside, and the goal wiped off.

Limerick were not to be denied their third goal however, as Shane Tracy added to his total for this season. In somewhat of an exchange in roles, O’Flynn found himself on the left wing. He fooled the defender, cut inside and played in Tracy, who shot fiercely past the Athlone stopper, to secure the three points for Limerick.

A four goal haul would have accurately summarised the fluidity and style of Limerick’s play. They nearly got their rewards three minutes from the end, as the tireless Peter Hynes once again ran in and out of challenges to cross straight in the path of O’Flynn. The easiest of tasks evaded O’Flynn however, as he struck straight into the arms of Schlingermann. An off night for the Mallow native in terms of goalscoring, however he made up for this in the build up play, proving essential to Limerick’s win on the night.

As the referee blew for full time, supporters go home happy, after witnessing a fine performance from a talented Limerick outfit.

Limerick FC: Ryan, Treacy, Purcell (O’Callaghan 65) , McCarthy, Frost, Broughall (O’Leary 33), Judge, Tracy, Quinn (Coughlan 71) , Hynes, O’Flynn.
Subs Not Used: Cusack, Coleman, O’Connor, McGann.
Booked: O’Flynn, Quinn.

Athlone Town: Schlingermann, Scullion, Woods, Danaher, Williamson (King 84), Stack, Tier, Gill (Monaghan 55), Barrett, Sweeney, Gardiner (Horan 62).
Subs Not Used: Gaynor, Young.
Booked: Danaher, Woods.
Sent Off: Scullion.
Attendance: 502

Referee: Sean Grant

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Could go to Peter Hynes of Jeffrey Judge, but Judge shades it for his goal.