Limerick 2-1 UCD
LIMERICK SECURED THEIR third league win in a row after a deserved victory over UCD at Thomond Park.
Samir Belhout gave the visitors a chance after Tam McManus and Shane Duggan fired Limerick into a seemingly comfortable lead, but Aaron Callaghan’s men could not find that elusive equaliser.
Stuart Taylor spoke midweek about his disappointment at exiting the FAI Ford Cup against Bohemians last Saturday and sought to make amends. His side did not waste any time in doing so as Tam McManus struck after 90 seconds.
Some good interplay in midfield afforded space for Kelly on the right wing. He was composed enough to pick out an inviting ball towards the six-yard box and former Hibs striker McManus rocketed his header past O’Donnell to put the hosts ahead.
Jason Hughes and Prince Agyemang missed last week’s clash with Bohs through suspension, but their return to the starting XI allowed Limerick to pass and move in the fashion they have become accustomed to. Creating a number of chances in the first half, Stuart Taylor will be happy with his side’s display, although it could have easily been 5-0 at half time had they converted their opportunities.
Hat-trick of home chances
Duggan fired a feisty effort just past the post only moments after McManus opened the scoring. McManus then followed suit with a similar effort. Folan completed the hat trick of decent chances when he fired his free header over O’Donnell’s crossbar soon after.
Perhaps the best opportunity for the home side to double the advantage came via Prince Agyemang. Gaffney went one-on-one with O’Donnell but tried an ambitious lob. The UCD stopper was equal to the dink, but Agyemang followed up the rebound — only to fire well over from fifteen yards.
UCD will have felt they rode their luck in the first half, but they were punished in the early stages of the second half as Duggan doubled the advantage. A corner from Agyemang on the right caused problems for UCD who couldn’t clear. The ball broke to Duggan twelve yards out and he blasted home to the delight of the World Cup boycotters.
The tempo in the game dropped ever so slightly and Limerick paid for it. They switched off and the visitors took advantage. Samir Belhout pulled one back for the Students – his strike from inside the box gave the visitors hope despite Limerick’s dominance.
The visitors could not create any more chances of note however – and Limerick hung on to secure a third league win in a row.
LIMERICK: Ryan; Kelly, Oji, Folan, Nzuzi; Duggan, Agyemang, Hughes; Galbraith; McManus (Mann, 72) Gaffney.
Subs not used: Cusack, Williams, Leahy, Costelloe, Rainsford, Whitehead.
UCD: O’Donnell; Douglas, Kavanagh, Ryan, Matthews; Belhout, Crowe, Creevy (McCabe, 68), Mulhall; Burke (Wilson, 86); Benson.
Subs not used: Corbet, Boyle, Barker, O’Halloran.
Referee: R Harvey (Dublin).
Premier Division results:
Shamrock Rovers 0 – 2 Cork City
Bray 0 – 5 Bohs
Dundalk 0 – 0 St Patrick’s Athletic
Sligo 2 – 2 Derry
Athlone 6 — 0 Drogheda
