Limerick 2
Cabinteely 1
Andrew Cunneen reports from Markets Field
LIMERICK ARE IN the draw for the last eight of the FAI Cup after a 2-1 win over a spirited Cabinteely at the Markets Field.
Connor Ellis and Barry Maguire netted either side of half time to seemingly hand Limerick a comfortable passage into the quarter-finals, but Kevin Knight’s late strike kept the game alive until the final whistle.
The Shannonsiders made five changes from their damaging 3-1 defeat to Sligo Rovers last week. Tommy Barrett all but admitted that the Blues were destined for the relegation playoff for the second time in three top-tier seasons, after the Bit O’ Red left Limerick victorious, and his primary focus would likely be on the cup.
Captain Shane Duggan missed out after accumulating 10 yellow cards, while Kilian Cantwell’s fitness wasn’t worth risking. They joined Killian Brouder, Karl O’Sullivan and Will Fitzgerald in sitting this one out. In their place came Shaun Kelly, Colman Kennedy, Shane Tracy, Danny Morrissey and Danny Murphy.
However, a very early Eoin Wearen knock ensured that Killian Brouder would play virtually the whole encounter regardless.
The Blues made the final four of this competition last year, before losing 1-0 to eventual winners Cork City in Turner’s Cross, thanks to a Garry Buckley strike in the first half.
But the Premier Division outfit were second best for large periods of the opening half — playing with the fatigue you come to expect from a side who haven’t been able to add to their squad due to a transfer embargo.
The home team didn’t look like creating much, but a moment of madness from Cabinteely midfielder Karl Manahan meant they didn’t have to.
He picked up possession and opted to pass backwards towards his goalkeeper Stephen McGuinness. Connor Ellis was lurking though, and Manahan didn’t see him. The Cork native latched onto the loose backpass and he rounded the stopper, before sliding into the empty net.
15 minutes into the second half, the game was put to bed — or so it seemed. Good work from Ellis down the right flank found Barry Maguire unmarked in the box and he stabbed home at the second attempt.
Kevin Knight netted in injury time to stir some late drama, but the Blues hung on.
Limerick: Tommy Holland; Shaun Kelly, Colman Kennedy, Eoin Wearen (Killian Brouder, 8), Billy Dennehy; Cian Coleman; Darren Murphy, Shane Tracy (Karl O’Sullivan, 55); Barry Maguire; Connor Ellis (Will Fitzgerald, 77), Danny Morrissey.
Cabinteely: Stephen McGuinness; Daniel Blackbyrne, Jack Tuite, Kevin Knight; Karl Byrne, Karl Manahan (Eoghan Morgan, 75), Jack Watson, Keith Dalton, Kieran Waters; Luke Clucas (Dean Casey, 60), Joe Doyle (Jean Yves Poame, 60).
Referee: Anthony Buttimer (Cork)
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
