O'Brien goal seals victory for Drogheda over Limerick

The visitors took the lead when Barry Ryan fumbled Gavin Brennan’s header after a terrific cross from Gavan Holohan.

Limerick 0

Drogheda 1

DRIGHEDA UNITED RAN out 1-0 winners against Limerick in Thomond Park thanks to a goal on the half hour mark from Declan O’Brien.

The visitors took the lead when Barry Ryan fumbled Gavin Brennan’s header after a terrific cross from Gavan Holohan on the right. The Limerick stopper couldn’t handle the close range nod, and Declan O’Brien was in the right place at the right time to tap home.

Drogs’ lead should have been doubled minutes later when O’Brien broke from midfield. He played in O’Neill to his left — O’Neill cut in, skipped past a couple of tackles and shot at Ryan who did well to palm away.

Stuart Taylor’s men should have levelled matters before half time when Shane Tracy’s cross was met perfectly by James McGrath’s header — only a wonder save from the younger Ryan brother could deny him.

Barry Ryan came to Limerick’s rescue ten minutes into the second half when he pushed Alan McNally’s bullet header over the bar after a terrific Eric Foley free kick.

Limerick should have equalised on 70 minutes when Jason Hughes picked out Shane Duggan’s run, but the Limerick captain saw his effort go narrowly wide of the far post.

Tam McManus had the ball in the net five minutes from time, but the linesman’s flag ruled it out.