- Macdara Ferris
- Sat, Oct 24 2015
Limerick’s 2-0 loss to Shamrock Rovers on Friday night means the Super Blues have it all to do to stay in the Premier Division for next season. They were at least thankful that Drogheda United lost 3-0 away to Longford Town, as if United had won that game, with Sligo beating St. Pat’s, Limerick would have been relegated.
As it is the Super Blues must win in Sligo next week and hope the Hoops beat Drogheda – then Limerick will face the prospect of a relegation play-off against either UCD or Finn Harps.
Towards the top of the table if Rovers can get that win over Drogheda, and Cork lose away to Bohemians, the Hoops will finish second in the table. With this win, Rovers have guaranteed themselves at least a third place position.
Limerick knew their task was going to be tough against a Shamrock Rovers side still looking to sneak into that runners up spot. Last week’s defeat at home to Derry City had deflated Limerick’s late charge for safety. The Blues could certainly have done without the unforced errors that handed the Hoops two goals in the opening period.
The home team had the ball in the back of the net twice at either end of the opening half but both times the goals were correctly ruled out for offside. After five minutes Paul O’Conor tapped home from an offside position off a pass from Vinny Faherty.
A minute before the half-time break, the home fans were on their feet celebrating but they had missed the offside flag in the air. Faherty was positioned directly in front of goalkeeper Barry Murphy as Ian Turner fired home. Referee Graham Kelly deemed Faherty to be interfering with the ‘keeper’s vision of the shot and disallowed the goal.
By then though the Blues were 2-0 down even if they had pressed the Hoops hard in the opening period. From set pieces Limerick had caused Rovers all sorts of trouble. The Blues piled forward for a succession of Sean Russell corners and in the swirling wind it seemed likely that the ball was destined for the Rovers goal. However the Hoops defence held firm with Robbie Williams going closest for Limerick.
After an early Ryan Brennan header from a Pat Cregg cross went wide for the visitors, the first goal would come from a loose Limerick pass from full-back Williams gifting Rovers the opener on 14 minutes.
His pass was picked up by Brandon Miele who gave and received the ball back from Ryan Brennan before shooting into the bottom left corner of the goal – his fourth strike against the Shannonsiders this season and his 11th league goal.
Just after the half-hour mark, the Hoops almost made it two. The visitors had built the ball up from the back, working it from right to left, and back into the centre. Danny North on the edge of the box let the ball run to Ryan Brennan who hit a shot that clipped the top of the crossbar in front of the travelling Rovers support.
Those fans though didn’t have to wait too long to see their team double their lead though as Limerick skipper Shane Duggan took down Pat Cregg on the edge of the Super Blues box. It was the perfect position for Stephen McPhail to arrow the ball around the wall with his cultured left foot into the top corner of Freddy Hall’s net. It was from a similar position he scored his only other Rovers goal. That was at the beginning of last season when he scored in the Setanta Sports Cup, with the goal in Limerick his first goal in league in seven and a half years.
Four minutes after the break Rovers had the chance from another free kick goal after a Limerick man went in the book. Patrick Kanyuka took down Ryan Brennan on the edge of the area and got a yellow card for the challenge. This time the free kick was on the left hand side of the penalty area. McPhail ran over it allowing Miele to shoot low around the wall. Hall did well to hold onto the ball as the Hoops attackers were lurking for any loose save from the Limerick netminder.
The best chances for the Super Blues continued to come from set pieces and Paul O’Conor should really have done better with a diving header after the hour mark. The Blues continued to battle but couldn’t get a goal back that might help their goal difference going into next week’s game away to Sligo Rovers.
Miele’s delightful curled cross was delivered directly to Danny North’s feet but Hall was able to save as the game ticked into the final ten minutes. Limerick went close with Dean Clarke but to no avail late on. They still have a shot of safety but nothing less than a away win in Sligo Rovers will do them next weekend.
Limerick FC: Freddy Hall; Shaun Kelly, Patrick Kanyuka, Robbie Williams, Seán Russell (Darragh Rainsford 83); Shane Duggan ©; Ian Turner, Paul O’Conor, Lee-J Lynch (Shane Tracy h/t), Dean Clarke; Vinny Faherty (Cyril Guedjé 86).
Subs not used: Ali Abass (gk), Prince Agyemang, Ross Mann, Paudie O’Connor.
Booked: Duggan (31), Kanyuka (48).
Shamrock Rovers: Barry Murphy; Simon Madden, Conor Kenna, David Webster, David O'Connor; Stephen McPhail (Gary McCabe 79), Pat Cregg; Gavin Brennan, Ryan Brennan (Mikey Drennan80), Brandon Miele; Danny North (Damien Duff 87).
Subs not used: Craig Hyland (gk), Luke Byrne, Marty Waters, Gareth McCaffrey.
Booked: O’Connor (45+2).
Referee: Graham Kelly.
Attendance: 1960.
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Brandon Miele (Shamrock Rovers).
