Limerick 2
Galway United 2
Andrew Cuneen reports from Markets Field.
A ROLLERCOASTER ON Shannonside saw Galway United’s Premier Division survival taken out of their hands at the expense of Limerick’s safety.
A supposed clash of kits was spotted by Cork official Anthony Buttimer in the warm-ups and he informed both sets of club officials, twenty-five minutes prior to scheduled kick-off.
Buttimer deemed the white sleeves on Limerick’s home kit to be too much of a distraction, and forced them to change into a luminous away kit.
After eventually kicking off at 8.10pm, the visitors started nervously, but would eventually grow into the game – with Rory Hale picking up pockets of space frequently in front Limerick’s back four.
However, their spell of possession would only culminate in a cruel blow as Limerick took the lead ten minutes before half time.
Stephen Kenny’s cross from the right was aimed towards Chiedozie Ogbene, and referee Buttimer awarded a penalty for an alleged foul from Colm Horgan on the speedster.
Rodrigo Tosi stepped up to the spot and made no mistake – sending Conor Winn the wrong way. That was the Brazilian’s fourteenth goal of the season in the league.
Just as Galway were licking their wounds, they fell further behind through that Kenny – Ogbene connection once again.
A lay-off into Kenny’s path on the right flank afforded the winger time to cross in behind the Galway back four and Ogbene had the simplest of tasks from all of a yard out.
News of the comeback in Inchicore reached Garryowen and was met with a nervy reception. However, United would be gifted a way back into the game, just two minutes into the second half.
Bastien Hery headed back towards Freddy Hall for reasons only known to himself – allowing Ronan Murray to tap home from all of six yards.
Murray would later be afforded an opportunity to bring Galway level, as the linesman awarded the Tribesman a penalty. However, just as in Bray, Murray’s spot-kick was saved.
Five minutes from time, Buttimer would shine once again as he awarded yet another penalty. Eoin McCormack made no mistake.
Galway welcome Dundalk on the final day, but a result for Sligo tomorrow sees them fall back into the bottom three.
Limerick: Brendan Clarke (Freddy Hall, 41); Dean Clarke, Tony Whitehead, Dave O’Connor, Shane Tracy; Bastien Hery; Stephen Kenny (Barry Cotter, 76), Lee-J Lynch, Shane Duggan (Joe Crowe, 46), Chiedozie Ogbene; Rodrigo Tosi.
Galway: Conor Winn; Colm Horgan, Niall Maher (Gary Shanahan, 90), Stephen Folan, Marc Ludden; Rory Hale, David Cawley; Kevin Devaney (Padraic Cunningham, 90), Gavan Holohan, Ronan Murray (Conor Melody, 90); Eoin McCormack.
Referee: Anthony Buttimer (Cork)
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