Bohemians 5
Limerick FC 0
Dave Donnelly reports from Dalymount Park
BOHEMIANS INCREASED THEIR chances of Premier Division survival with a resounding 5-0 win over struggling Limerick at Dalymount Park.
Keith Buckley’s stunning second-half strike was the pick of the goals on a night where Limerick started brightly but faded badly.
Kevin Devaney and JJ Lunney had given the Gypsies a 2-0 half-time lead before Buckley and substitutes Daniel Grant and Eoghan Stokes added late goals.
Blues debutant Coleman Kennedy, brought on for the final half-hour, saw his night turn sour as he was red-carded for the foul that led to Stokes’ penalty.
The Blues had actually started brightly and had the first real chance of substance when Billy Dennehy found Killian Brouder unmarked, but he couldn’t keep his header down.
Connor Ellis should have done better when Karl O’Sullivan cross was only half-cleared, but he blasted over, and Darren Murphy’s shot was tipped over by Shane Supple after more good play.
The home side took the lead just before the half-hour as Darragh Leahy headed a loose ball across goal and the superb Devaney reacted first to nod past Tommy Holland from close range.
JJ Lunney doubled the lead four minutes before the break as he took advantage of the unguarded space outside the box to pick out the bottom corner.
The tempo dropped in the second half but Bohs continued to pick Limerick off, and Buckley’s spectacular drive from 25 yards had the crowd on their feet.
Dinny Corcoran’s shot was touched onto the post by Holland, but Keith Ward was on hand to turn the ball back inside for sub Danny Grant to finish into an empty net.
Kennedy saw red for a last-man foul on Grant, and fellow substitute Eoghan Stokes converted from 12 yards.
Bohemians: Shane Supple; Derek Pender, Dan Casey, Ian Morris (Dan Byrne 75), Darragh Leahy; Keith Buckley, JJ Lunney, Keith Ward (Eoghan Stokes 75); Kevin Devaney, Daniel Kelly (Daniel Grant 71), Dinny Corcoran.
Limerick: Tommy Holland; Shaun Kelly, Killian Brouder, Cian Coleman, Billy Dennehy; Shane Duggan, Darren Murphy (Coleman Kennedy 61), Barry Maguire (Danny Morrissey 61); Karl O’Sullivan, Will Fitzgerald (Colm Walsh-O’Loughlen 74), Connor Ellis.
Referee: Derek Tomney.
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