DERRY CITY PRESERVED their Premier Division status with a well-deserved win at Markets Field thanks to goals from Mark Timlin and Barry McNamee.
Limerick have been bottom for 190 days, but spurned the opportunity to leapfrog Drogheda United as they lacked any real bite in comparison their much superior opposition.
The air of expectation seemed to hamper Limerick’s usual free-flowing style of play and the visitors started the better. That form carried into the second half and a Limerick side prone to conceding from set pieces did just that.
Derry’s free-kick in the left-hand corner wasn’t properly cleared and Timlin was unmarked at the edge of the area. He took a touch and fired into the roof of the net — despite Hall’s strong hand getting a touch.
Just after the hour mark, the Candystripes doubled their advantage. Barry McNamee drifted in behind the Limerick defence in receipt of a clever one-two. He raced through on goal before slotting calmly past Hall.
LIMERICK: Freddy Hall; Shaun Kelly, Patrick Kanyuka, Robbie Williams, Sean Russell; Shane Duggan, Paul O’Conor (Shane Tracy, 60); Ian Turner (Darragh Rainsford, 70), Lee-J Lynch, Dean Clarke; Vinny Faherty.
DERRY CITY: Ger Doherty; Rob Cornwall, Aaron Barry, Ryan McBride, Dean Jarvis; Conor McCormack, Barry McNamee; Stephen Dooley, Patrick McEleney (Aaron McEniff, 90), Mark Timlin; Mark Quigley (Ciaran O’Connor, 67).
Referee: Jim McKell (Tipperary).
Originally published 17 October at 9.08pm
