Limerick 1
Finn Harps 0
Andrew Cuneen reports from Markets Field
LIMERICK ADDED THEIR name to the hat for the quarter-final draw of the FAI Cup after a one-nil saw them edge out Finn Harps.
The Shannonsiders and Finn Harps put on one of the most lacklustre halves football in the Markets Field since the Garryowen venue reopened in 2015.
The opening forty-five was mainly dotted by Harps players going down injured. Veteran Damien McNulty went down on three separate occasions – bouncing back to his feet each time before clearing the danger back to Brendan Clarke.
Referee Anthony Buttimer was kept busy with the stoppages – before being involved in the only flash point of the half.
As a Harps attack broke down and the ball was rolling towards stand-in captain Clarke, Caolan McAleer kicked out at Limerick full back Dave O’Connor midway through the first half.
The home support wanted red, and they got just that. Buttimer wasted no time in rushing over to send the lively winger for an early bath.
Blues boss Neil McDonald rolled the dice on the hour mark and it paid off.
After some good interplay in midfield, Garbhan Coughlan was afforded the chance to cross.
His switch was beautifully-weighted and the on-rushing Dave O’Connor headed home from all of two yards
Harps would go on to frustrate Limerick, however.
Coughlan would continue to impress for the remainder, but the closing stages mirrored the opening half – without much in the way of goalmouth action.
Limerick: Brendan Clarke, Dean Clarke, Tony Whitehead, Joe Crowe, David O’Connor; Stephen Kenny (William Fitzgerald, 61), Lee-J Lynch, Bastien Hery, Chiedozie Ogbene; Peter Berki (Garbhan Coughlan, 61), Rodrigo Tosi.
Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher; Damien McNulty, Killian Cantwell, Ethan Boyle; Caolan McAleer, Ciaran Coll, Paddy McCourt (Gareth Harkin, 62), Tommy McBride, Pascal Millien (Sean Houston, 80); Mark Timlin; Ibrahim Keita (Danny Morrissey, 78).
Referee: Anthony Buttimer (Cork).
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