Drogeheda 1-4 Limerick
THE GAP AT the foot of the SSE Airtricity League was tightened up once again tonight a Limerick put four goals past a dire Drogheda United to secure their fourth league win in five games.
Just a month ago, Limerick were winless and adrift at the bottom of the league. Their survival push seemed not so much improbable, but impossible. However, Martin Russell’s men are now unbeaten in five games and they sit just three points behind Sligo Rovers and four behind Drogheda.
Despite Keith Treacy debuting for the home side, his presence could not inspire a listless and haphazard home side. They have been in very poor form of late, and on this evidence, need more than a big name to drag them up and to mid-table security.
Treacy was a surprise starter, having not had a club since January and having not played a competitive game since an FA Cup for Barnsley last December. He looked it. There was some good touches, and he did play a part in Drogheda’s consolation. But the former Republic of Ireland winger was nowhere near as mobile as is required right now.
Limerick hit the front after just five minutes. Sean Russell’s corner was headed in by Vinny Faherty. The striker has now hit five in five for the Blues. Just seven minutes later, referee Jim McKell pointed to the spot when Robbie Williams looked to be tugged back in the area. Ian Turner sent his penalty straight down the middle to double the lead.
In virtually the next attack, it was dreamland for Limerick but helped by some nightmarish defending from Drogeda. Darragh Rainsford was totally unmarked to head in Turner’s cross from the right.
Drogheda did rally and looked dangerous as the sides exchanged chances. Shane Tracy’s free kick smacked the crossbar while Mick Daly’s header dropped just wide for Johnny McDonnell’s men.
Their goal did come on 26 minutes when Treacy’s through ball found Duffy who poked it into Tiernan Mulvenna’s path. His low shot breached the bottom corner.
However, Robbie Williams got on the scoresheet five minutes before the break. He headed in Turner’s corner from close range to make it 4-1. All of the goals, incident and excitement came in the first half.
The second half offered little, bar Alan Byrne’s disallowed goal, but it looked a good decision. Worrying times for Drogheda continue, but for a buoyant Martin Russell, his side are among the form teams in the division now.
DROGHEDA UNITED: Micheal Schlingermann, Mick Daly, Alan Byrne, Robert O’Reilly, Joe Gorman, Sean Thornton, Stephen Maher (Adam Whelan, 71), Jason Marks, Lee Duffy, Tiernan Mulvenna (Ger Pender, 79), Keith Treacy (Mark Hughes, 62).
LIMERICK: Freddy Hall, Shaun Kelly, Patrick Kanyuka, Robbie Williams, Shane Tracy, Ian Turner, Paul O’Conor, Lee Lynch, Sean Russell (Tony Whitehead, 84), Darragh Rainsford (Val Feeney, 73), Vinny Faherty.
Referee: Jim McKell