Athlone Town went down by a single goal to Limerick FC in the eircom League First Division as they lost 1-0 at St Mel's Park.
In a poor game neither side really threatened the opposition goal too much.
Limerick had the best of the few early chances. First, Robbie Kelleher had Athlone goalkeeper Danny O'Leary scrambling to cover his shot from the left on 17 minutes.
Then on 24 minutes, Derek McCarthy had a shot from a similar post take a deflection as it went just wide.
Down the other end, Mark Sherlock had a great chance for the home side on the half hour mark. Getting onto a flicked on header from Steve Feeney, Sherlock shot from inside the box, but Limerick keeper Austin O’Neill saved well with his feet.
The same player went close again five minutes later, but this time his volley went just left and wide with O’Neill nowhere to be seen.
Istvan Lakatos flashed a shot across the face of goal after good work down the right five minutes into the second half.
On 65 minutes, Sherlock did similar, but this time Steve Feeney was just inches away from connecting with his shot at the back post.
However, Limerick grabbed the only goal of the game after 75 minutes. A free kick on the left of the Athlone box was rolled in-field to John Lester. The Limerick midfielder sent a bullet of a shot to the back of the Athlone net from 20 yards.
The best chance of the remaining 25 minutes didn't come until the stroke of full time. Stephen Ryan did well down the right before getting a cross in, but Steve Feeney could only shoot into the arms of O'Neill.
Athlone Town: Danny O'Leary, Robbie Hamm, Kevin Williamson, Tom Silke, Jim Sheridan, Colin Fortune, Istvan Lakatos, Damien Rushe, Mark Sherlock, Steve Feeney, Padraig Moran.
Subs: Carmine Russo for Lakatos (61), Stephen Ryan for Sherlock (66), Alan Kelly for Moran (70).
Limerick: Austin O'Neill, Conor Sinnott, Brian Buckley, Paul Finnucane, Pat Purcell, Tommy Barrett, Kevin Waters, John Lester, Robbie Kelleher, Derek McCarthy, Colm Heffernan.
Subs: Garth Cooney for Kelleher (45), Conor Molan for Sinnott (84), John Hayes for McCarthy (90).
Referee: Derek Tomney (Dublin).
