Galway United 1-3 Limerick FC
Limerick's Vinny Faherty scored two goals against his former club Galway United as the Superblues claimed a vital SSE Airtricity League win at Terryland Park.
Man of the match Faherty guided Limerick ahead in the 18th minute, but Galway levelled on 61 minutes when Samuel Oji responded for the Tribesmen.
Ian Turner thumped Limerick back in front on 66 minutes and Faherty decorated the visitors' success with an insurance goal nine minutes from time.
Limerick came within a whisker of taking a dramatic lead after 50 seconds as Galway custodian Conor Winn atoned for an error by producing a stunning save.
Winn initially failed to deal with a routine Stephen Walsh back pass, but the Galway netminder subsequently clawed away Vinny Faherty's attempt.
From the rebound Faherty located Lee Lynch, who was then denied by a Samuel Oji block as Galway survived a real scare.
In the sixth minute a Sean Russell cross found Ian Turner at the back stick, but he was unable to direct a header on target.
It was a lively start as Galway then went close when Jake Keegan and Enda Curran combined releasing Gary Shanahan, who failed to truly test Freddy Hall.
Limerick hit the front in the 18th minute as Faherty delivered a delightful goal when outfoxing Oji before curling a sweet right footed strike into the bottom corner.
Galway were being put under severe pressure, but Tommy Dunne's team nearly levelled in the 20th minute as Shanahan was thwarted by Robbie Williams.
Seconds later the outstanding Lee Lynch, who knitted the play smartly, had a shot saved by Winn as Faherty bundled the rebound wide.
After the restart Galway improved restoring parity in the 61st minute when Oji headed an equaliser in a crowded area following a Ryan Connolly corner.
But Limerick summoned a reply five minutes later as Turner produced a crisp finish when drilling the visitors ahead on 66.
Nine minutes from time Faherty sealed the deal when heading home a precise Turner cross as Limerick claimed the spoils.
Galway United: Conor Winn; Colm Horgan, Samuel Oji, Stephen Walsh, Marc Ludden; Gary Shanahan, David O'Leary, Paul Sinnott (Andy O’Connell, 79), Jake Keegan; Ryan Connolly; Enda Curran (Conor Melody, 42).
Limerick FC: Freddy Hall; Shaun Kelly, Patrick Kanyuka, Robbie Williams, Sean Russell; Ian Turner, Paul O’Conor, Shane Duggan, Dean Clarke (Darragh Rainsford, 86); Lee Lynch; Vinny Faherty (Ross Mann, 90).
Referee: Dave McKeon (Dublin).
