LIMERICK MOVED INTO fourth spot in the SSE Airtrcity League Premier Division after a comfortable three-nil win over Drogheda United at the Markets Field.
In a half that could have doubled for the majority of Limerick’s home games last year in the First Division, the hosts were totally dominant.
It took them just three minutes to strike the front, in fact. Limerick used the aerial prowess of star striker Rodrigo Tosi a lot more last week than they had done under Russell, and the Brazilian showcased it once more to net the opener.
Lee-J Lynch swung in a corner from the left and found the thirty-four year old peeling off towards the near post. He rose highest and his glancing nod flew past Stephen McGuinness to give Limerick the ideal start.
Four minutes later, that lead was doubled. Playing a quicker tempo than many in Garryowen had become accustomed to, the Blues played one-twos for fun before finding Chiedozie Ogbene on the right. He cut in before unleashing an effort destined for the back post, but opposite winger Chris Mulhall ran across the path of the ball – deflecting it past McGuinness who had already dived to his left.
Ogbene was excellent on the night and got his reward five minutes into the second half when he got back to his feet after a challenge inside the box, before taking aim into the roof of the net to seal the result.
Limerick: Brendan Clarke; Shaun Kelly, Tony Whitehead, Robbie Williams, Tommy Robson; Paul O’Conor (Bastien Hery, 60) Shane Duggan; Chris Mulhall (Dean Clarke, 70), Lee-J Lynch, Chiedozie Ogbene; Rodrigo Tosi (John O’Flynn, 78).
Drogheda: Stephen McGuinness; Colm Deasy, Kevin Farragher, Luke Gallagher, Stephen Dunne; Gareth McCaffrey, Sean Thornton, Richie Purdy, Jake Hyland (Ciaran McGuigan, 70), Ryan McEvoy (Stephen Elliot, 65) Mark Doyle (Adam Wixted, 63).
Referee: Graham Kelly (Cork)
