Limerick 1
Drogheda United 2
LIMERICK’S RETURN TO the Markets Field wasn’t the fairytale they’d hoped for as Martin Russell’s men fell to a 2-1 defeat to Drogheda United.
In what was an overwhelming homecoming for Limerick soccer, Michael Daly didn’t read the script. The right back headed the visitors ahead after twelve minutes into Limerick’s return to the Markets Field.
Sean Thornton was the scourge of Limerick in the first series of games and he came back to haunt them once more. From a free kick on the right, Thornton crossed superbly for an unmarked Daly. His header trickled across the goalmouth before clipping the far post and rolling over the line, beyond Conor O’Donnell.
The goal the Limerick has been waiting thirty-one years for arrived via the head of Paul O’Conor. A terrific overlap from Shane Tracy down the left allowed the Limerick native to cross. His delivery was inch perfect for the run of Paul O’Conor whose bullet header gave Michael Schlingermann no chance.
The party atmosphere didn’t last long though. Lee Duffy cleverly peeled of his marker to run beyond his marker, to chase a long ball. He shot from a narrow angle and the ball rolled across O’Donnell, off the far post and into the net.
LIMERICK: Conor O’Donnell; Jason Hughes, Tony Whitehead, Robbie Williams, Shane Tracy; Shane Duggan, Paul O’Conor; Darragh Rainsford (Ian Turner 72), Sean Russell (Ross Mann 87), Dean Clarke; Kieran Hanlon (Vinny Faherty 72).
DROGHEDA: Michael Schlingermann; Mick Daly, Alan Byrne, Robert O’Reilly, Joe Gorman; Mark Hughes (Stephen Maher 68), Sean Thornton; Adam Whelan, Gavin Brennan, Jason Marks (Cathal Brady 77); Lee Duffy (Tiarnan Mulvenna 58).
Man of the Match: Sean Thornton (Drogheda United)
Referee: Paul Tuite (Dublin)
