By Kieran O'Brien at Markets Field
Limerick 3-3 Longford Town
Limerick’s attempt at a great escape hit a road bump when they were denied a fourth consecutive league win in an exciting 3-3 draw with Longford Town at the Markets Field.
In front of a bumper attendance of 1,779, Limerick started as they left off in Friday night’s surprise victory over Cork City, controlling the game with Ian Turner and Dean Clarke impressing on both flanks.
The home side took the lead on 14 minutes when Turner won possession on the edge of the area and showed some neat footwork before driving powerfully to the left corner of the net.
Three minutes Limerick went two up when local hero Shane Tracey was on hand to rifle home from the edge of the area after more good work from Turner.
Limerick were in control at this stage but Longford got a lifeline when the unmarked Rhys Gorman headed home from a Ben Mohamed corner-kick.
The hosts look to respond immediately and Vinny Faherty should really have reopened a two-goal advantage but headed over from Turner’s dinked cross.
The visitors drew level on 41 minutes when Limerick’s defence was badly exposed and captain Mark Salmon drilled the ball home past Freddy Hall in the Limerick goal.
Limerick were very much in the ascendancy at the start of the second half and should have retaken the lead but Dean Clarke headed Paul O’Conor’s pinpoint cross over.
They got their deserved lead goal on 61 minutes, however, as captain Shane Duggan swung in a wonderful cross that Robbie Williams headed home.
Limerick were rampant at this stage and Dean Clarke forced a wonder save by Hunt before a Vinny Faherty volley went just over as the Blues chased the cushion of fourth goal.
Those missed chances came back to haunt the basement side as Conor Powell swung in a dangerous free-kick on 71 minutes and Stephen Rice rose highest to head home past the despairing Hall.
Limerick pushed hard for a crucial winner but Longford held on for a vital point in a suddenly crowded relegation battle.
Limerick FC: Freddy Hall, Paul O’Conor, Paudie O’Connor, Robbie Williams, Shane Tracey, Ian Turner, Shane Duggan (C), Sean Russell, Lee Jay Lynch (Shaun Kelly ’59), Dean Clarke, Vinny Faherty
Longford Town FC: Paul Hunt, Jamie Mulhall, Mark Rossiter, Rhys Gorman , Conor Powell, Mark Salmon (C), Stephen Rice, Kevin O’Connor, Lorcan Shannon, Ayman Ben Mohamed (Dean Kelly ’58),Gary Shaw,
Referee: Ben Connolly
