Limerick 1-1 Shamrock Rovers
Shamrock Rovers missed the chance go second in the SSE Premier Division table as bottom-placed Limerick grabbed a surprise 1-1 draw at Jackman Park, Rovers only netting a point with a late goal from substitute Brandon Miele.
Martin Russell’s struggling outfit took a shock lead after just 12 minutes through captain Shane Duggan and looked to be holding out to seal a first win of the season until Miele netted for Pat Fenlon’s men just three minutes from time.
On a perfect night for football, it was Shamrock Rovers who had the first clear chance of the game through Ryan Brennan when Limerick goalkeeper Conor O’Donnell pulled off a wonderful point-blank save from Brennan’s header.
Less than two minutes later the hosts were in front. Vinny Faherty held the ball up down the left wing and his perfectly weighted pass to captain Duggan was finished with aplomb to the bottom right corner past ‘keeper Craig Hyland.
The title challengers’ looked stunned by the early concession and failed to get into their fluent passing game. Indeed Russell’s men could have gone two up on 36 minutes after the very impressive Ian Turner caused Luke Byrne all kinds of trouble down the right ring and whipped in a wonderful cross.
Dean Clarke attacked the ball eight yards out but somehow contrived to put his header wide when it looked easier to score.
An animated Pat Fenlon would have been happier as the first half drew to a close as his team began to take control of proceedings. Rovers should have levelled matters on 43 minutes but former Ireland midfielder Keith Fahey failed to convert the easiest of chances after a Sean O’Connor flick on found him all alone at the back post.
It was all Shamrock Rovers in the second half and it seemed Fenlon’s men had got back on level terms on 60 minutes but an offside flag ruled out Ryan Brennan’s neat flick-header over O’Donnell.
Brennan again was to fore moments later when a rasping left-footed drive struck the crossbar with keeper O’Donnell beaten. The woodwork again came to the aid of Limerick just three minutes later when sub Miele beat O’Donnell with a 25-yard free kick only for the ball to rattle the crossbar.
Rovers had claims for a penalty on 75 minutes when the exciting Limerick defender Paudie O’Connor was guilty of handling in the area but referee Graham Kelly deemed it accidental.
Michael Drennan nearly continued his recent hot streak for the Hoops on 82 minutes when he capitalised on a rush of blood from O’Donnell and looked to have equalised but Shane Tracey heroically cleared off the line as frustration grew for the visitors.
However, Rovers pressure finally paid off when the equaliser came on 86 minutes. Danny North hit a speculative drive from the edge of the area that was deflected into the path of Miele, who left all alone, coolly finished to the back of the net.
Rovers pushed for the winner in the closing minutes but couldn’t find the breakthrough due to a combination of wayward finishing and last-gasp clearances from an impressive Limerick rearguard.
Limerick FC: Conor O’Donnell, Sean Harding, Aidan Price, Paudie O’Connor, Shane Tracey, Ian Turner, Shane Duggan (capt), Paul O’Conor, Sean Russell, Vinny Faherty, Dean Clarke.
Subs: Conor O’Donnell, Sean Harding, Aidan Price, Paudie O’Connor, Shane Tracey, Ian Turner (DaraghRainsford ’74), Shane Duggan (C) , Paul O’Conor, Sean Russell, Vinny Faherty, Dean Clarke (Jason Hughes ’82).
Shamrock Rovers: Craig Hyland; Simon Madden, Conor Kenna (capt), David O’Connor, Luke Byrne; Pat Cregg, Ryan Brennan; Gavin Brennan, Keith Fahey, Sean O’Connor; Mikey Drennan.
Subs: Craig Hyland; Simon Madden, Conor Kenna (C), David O’Connor, Luke Byrne; Pat Cregg (Brandon Miele ’62), Ryan Brennan; Gavin Brennan, Keith Fahey, Sean O’Connor (Danny North ’62 )Mikey Drennan.
Referee: Graham Kelly.
