Shamrock Rovers 4-1 Limerick

Brandon Miele scored a stunning goal, before tapping home a late second, as Shamrock Rovers washed away their Europa League disappointment with this facile win.

Skipper Conor Kenna and Patrick Cregg were also on target in between to ease Rovers to victory on their return to league action after a month.

Limerick‘s consolation came from Ian Turner as Martin Russell‘s side remain 10 points adrift at the foot of the table, and still without a win in the league.

Rovers' manager Pat Fenlon made four changes following their defeat at Odds BK in Norway on Thursday night.

Barry Murphy came in for his first league action of the season between the post. Striker Danny North made his first league start in over two months while there was a full league debut for midfielder Cian Kavanagh.

Though Rovers enjoyed plenty of the ball from the start it was Limerick who came close to opening the scoring on 18 minutes.

The home marking was negligent as Limerick central defender Robbie Williams scraped Rovers' crossbar with a header following Sean Russell’s corner.

Rovers continued to dominant possession, though, and took the lead with a spectacular strike on 33 minutes.

Midfielder Miele struck a right-foot shot from 30 yards with Limerick keeper Freddy Hall merely able to watch as the ball flew past him into the top corner of his net.

The outstanding strike was a fitting way to mark Rovers‘ 200th goal at Tallaght Stadium.

Rovers punished slack marking at a set-piece to double their lead eight minutes into the second half.
Marty Waters, who was fouled by Paul O’Conor, whipped a free kick in from the left and Kenna found the net with a crisp header.

North should have been in for a third five minutes later, but Hall was off his line sharply to save at the striker’s feet after Kavanagh played him through.

The Hoops striker then sliced well wide with another chance after Waters put Simon Madden away on the right to cross.

Limerick got a goal back on 62 minutes. Murphy could only parry a low drive from Shane Tracy and Turner followed up to tap home the rebound.

However, Rovers restored their two goal lead within three minutes.Miele picked out North in the middle. And though his shot was touched away by Hall, Cregg followed up to take the ball around the keeper and side foot home his first goal for the club.

The move of the game then brought Rovers’ fourth goal on 82 minutes. Madden, Miele and Gary McCabe were involved before substitute Ryan Brennan’s flick found the run of Miele who rounded Hall to side-foot to the net for his eighth goal of the season.

Shamrock Rovers: Barry Murphy; Simon Madden, Dave Webster, Conor Kenna, Luke Byrne; Gary McCabe, Patrick Cregg; Brandon Miele, Cian Kavanagh (Ryan Brennan 72), Marty Waters (Dylan Kavanagh 85); Danny North (Gareth McCaffrey 80).

Limerick: Freddy Hall; Paul O'Conor, Paudie O’Connor, Robbie Williams, Shane Tracy; Prince Agyemang (Vinny Faherty 62); Ian Turner (Darragh Rainsford 62), Lee Lynch, Shane Duggan, Sean Russell; Dean Clarke.

Referee: Anthony Buttimer (Cork).