Updated at 22.58
Limerick 4-1 Shamrock Rovers
A REVITALISED LIMERICK side took Shamrock Rovers apart on Shannonside as pressure continues to grow on Trevor Croly.
Goals from Ryan Gaffney and Ian Turner were then complemented by an own goal from Conor Kenna as Martin Russell started life at Thomond Park in the best possible fashion. Stephen Folan and Sean O’Connor then exchanged late goals.
Limerick fired the first warning shot of the evening after Stephen McPhail was caught in possession deep inside his own half. The ball broke kindly to Rory Gaffney, but the Tuam native fired over the bar from the edge of the box.
In what was an open start to a feisty affair, Rovers fired straight back through Gary McCabe. Some good hold-up play from Karl Sheppard afforded McCabe a chance. His shot was just wide of Barry Ryan’s far post — and in turn — Dean Kelly’s boot.
The Hoops were made to pay for their wasted chance though. New recruit and local lad Lee-J Lynch played Rory Gaffney through on the inside right channel. Gaffney struck first time with a bullet effort that was too hot for Murphy to keep out.
That lead was doubled on 16 minutes when Rory Gaffney sprinted down the left flank and waited for support before rolling a cross-field ball towards Ian Turner at the far post, and the Limerick star made no mistake in converting past Murphy.
It only got worse for Trevor Croly on the half-hour mark. Lynch overlapped on the left, he had time and delivered a floated ball into the box, with Conor Kenna rising highest only to divert the cross into his own net.
Lee-J Lynch spurned a glorious chance to make it four just before the half ended. The tireless Gaffney broke down the left once more before squaring to Lynch. Rovers were stretched and Lynch was in, but he couldn’t convert — shooting high and wide from six yards out.
As poor as Rovers may have been, other sides would not have punished them. Limerick played well and at a higher tempo than they had done under previous management.
Robbie Williams has the first chance of the second half for the home side. Great work from Ian Turner on the left ensured he got past his man, and his cross was high, as was Williams’ connecting header.
The icing was put on the Limerick cake five minutes from time, as Stephen Folan headed home Shane Duggan’s free kick.
However, Sean O’Connor struck a sweet strike in added time to deny Limerick a clean sheet.
Limerick: Ryan; Nzuzi, Folan, Oji (Leahy, 90), Williams; Duggan, Hughes; Turner, Lynch, Djilali (Mann, 68); Gaffney.
Subs not Used: Cusack, Whitehead, Agyemang, Coughlan, McManus.
Shamrock Rovers: Murphy; Madden, Kenna, McGuinness (Byrne, 38), Osam; McCabe (Waters, 71), McPhail (Bayly, 78), Finn, O’Connor; Sheppard, Kelly.
Subs not Used: Hyland, O’Connor, Brennan, Kilduff.
Referee: J McKell (Tipperary)
Aitricity League results in full:
- Cork City 1 – 2 Dundalk
- Bray 1 – 1 Athlone Town
- Derry 4 – 0 Bohs
- Drogheda 4 – 0 UCD
- Limerick 4 – 1 Shamrock Rovers
- St Patrick’s Athletic 1 – 0 Sligo
