Dundalk 2 Limerick 1
DUNDALK PICKED UP their first points of the SSE Airtricity League season thanks to a 2-1 come from behind win against Limerick at Oriel Park. They were made to fight for the result, however, by a spirited and resolute display from Stuart Taylor’s men from Shannonside.
Limerick took the lead on 15 minutes when goalkeeper Peter Cherrie inexplicably allowed a routine Shane Tracy free-kick through his grasp and into the goal. Tracey’s effort was well struck but straight at Cherrie, who fell backwards into the net, bringing the ball with him and piling the misery on the home faithful after last week’s derby thrashing.
The visitors were sprightly and started the game better than Stephen Kenny’s team, quicker to the ball and looking to put pressure on whenever the Lilywhites looked to play the ball out of defence. Their high pressure assault was led expertly from the front but Dundalk soon took a foothold in the game. Limerick stopper Shane Cusack made good saves from Patrick Hoban and David McMillan.
Shortly before the break, Dundalk were level thanks to more goalkeeping misadventures. This time, Cusack was left flapping at Mark Rossiter’s cross and Hoban was on hand to tap into an empty net.
In the second period, Limerick went close to regaining their lead when Cherrie saved one-on-one from Gaffney and Daryl Horgan saw a Darren Meenan cross bounce off his shin and trickle tantalisingly wide as the home side pushed for a winner.
That came 13 minutes from time when a quick break saw the excellent Meenan play in Hoban. His shot was saved but the rebound fell to substitute Kurtis Byrne who nodded in to ensure a deserved win.
At the death, Richie Towell almost made it three when he sublimely took down Dane Massey’s cross before seeing his volleyed effort come off the post.
DUNDALK: Peter Cherrie, Brian Gartland, Andy Boyle, Stephen O’Donnell [C], Daryl Horgan (John Mountney, 89), Patrick Hoban, Dane Massey, David McMillan (Kurtis Byrne, 70), Richie Towell, Mark Rossiter (Sean Gannon, 64), Darren Meenan.
Substitutes: Sean Gannon, Chris Shields, John Mountney, Kurtis Byrne, Ruaidhri Higgins, Mark Griffin, Gabriel Sava.
LIMERICK: Shane Cusack, Shaun Kelly, Patrick Nzuzi (Patrick Ayemang, 81), Stephen Folan, Shane Tracy [C], Shane Costello, Tony Whitehead, Jason Hughes, James McGrath (Val Feeney, 82), Garbhan Coughlan (Darragh Rainsford, 54), Rory Gaffney.
Substitutes: Colm Murphy, Val Feeney, Patrick Ayemang, Darragh Rainsford, Barry Sheedy, Ali Abass.
Referee: Paul McLaughlin.