Limerick 2
Galway United 2
Andrew Cuneen reports from Markets Field.
A ROLLERCOASTER ON Shannonside saw Galway United’s Premier Division survival taken out of their hands at the expense of Limerick’s safety.
A supposed clash of kits was spotted by Cork official Anthony Buttimer in the warm-ups and he informed both sets of club officials, twenty-five minutes prior to scheduled kick-off.
Buttimer deemed the white sleeves on Limerick’s home kit to be too much of a distraction, and forced them to change into a luminous away kit.
After eventually kicking off at 8.10pm, the visitors started nervously, but would eventually grow into the game – with Rory Hale picking up pockets of space frequently in front Limerick’s back four.
However, their spell of possession would only culminate in a cruel blow as Limerick took the lead ten minutes before half time.
Stephen Kenny’s cross from the right was aimed towards Chiedozie Ogbene, and referee Buttimer awarded a penalty for an alleged foul from Colm Horgan on the speedster.
Rodrigo Tosi stepped up to the spot and made no mistake – sending Conor Winn the wrong way. That was the Brazilian’s fourteenth goal of the season in the league.
Just as Galway were licking their wounds, they fell further behind through that Kenny – Ogbene connection once again.
A lay-off into Kenny’s path on the right flank afforded the winger time to cross in behind the Galway back four and Ogbene had the simplest of tasks from all of a yard out.
News of the comeback in Inchicore reached Garryowen and was met with a nervy reception. However, United would be gifted a way back into the game, just two minutes into the second half.
Bastien Hery headed back towards Freddy Hall for reasons only known to himself – allowing Ronan Murray to tap home from all of six yards.
Murray would later be afforded an opportunity to bring Galway level, as the linesman awarded the Tribesman a penalty. However, just as in Bray, Murray’s spot-kick was saved.
Five minutes from time, Buttimer would shine once again as he awarded yet another penalty. Eoin McCormack made no mistake.
Galway welcome Dundalk on the final day, but a result for Sligo tomorrow sees them fall back into the bottom three.
Limerick: Brendan Clarke (Freddy Hall, 41); Dean Clarke, Tony Whitehead, Dave O’Connor, Shane Tracy; Bastien Hery; Stephen Kenny (Barry Cotter, 76), Lee-J Lynch, Shane Duggan (Joe Crowe, 46), Chiedozie Ogbene; Rodrigo Tosi.
Galway: Conor Winn; Colm Horgan, Niall Maher (Gary Shanahan, 90), Stephen Folan, Marc Ludden; Rory Hale, David Cawley; Kevin Devaney (Padraic Cunningham, 90), Gavan Holohan, Ronan Murray (Conor Melody, 90); Eoin McCormack.
Referee: Anthony Buttimer (Cork)
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We were blessed to get a point out of the game.Galway were the better team ‘hopefully they can stay up as well
@robert grehan: a favour from drogheda isn’t likely
Delighted with the point and premier football returning to the marketsfield next season. Fair play to galway and their supporters who were fantastic tonight. They played the best football as we sat off them and invited them on. They were very unlucky not to take all three points but Fortunately for us we held tough.
There will be major changes next season at Limerick, an overhaul is badly beeded. Roll on next season already!!!
Appalling ref who ruins every game he does.
Thankfully we’re safe. Up and down season. Heres to next seasons rollercoaster.
Fair play to all the limerick lads on here saying it as it is. DCFC fan
Surely the ref is at the ground at least an hour before kick off , and first thing inspect the shirts ? Mr buttimer imo seek s to be the attraction at most games he refs ! But a good ref when he cuts out this nonsense
Blessed to get a point ? All talk when the manager arrived was we are pushing for a europa spot , fast forward and we were relegation contenders , a lot of hard decisions to be made for next year ?
A very poor display by Limerick. It lacked guts and this stems from the manager who plays an archaic Martin O’Neill type of football. Galway who are very average were made look good. They tried hard and were the better team by a distance. They should have had a stonewall penalty in the last minute. In saying that their first one was dodgy at best, the swan dived earned it. McDonald needs to buy two cbs and go from there.
@Fergus McGrath: Stephen Folan would be a great signing for limerick next season.
CCFC fan here who was at the game last night, (drops down to a number of games when CCFC are playing away).
Yes in fairness I would agree that the posts on here from LCFC fans are accurate. While agreeing that Galway are average as stated I would say that LFC are only above average themselves. I don’t agree that Limerick made them look good, considering Galways periless position they came to the Markeks Field with a positive game plan, stuck to in and should have been 2 up instead of 2 goals down at half time.
Its great that Limerick are safe but they are at a crossroads, no doubt the managers position will have to be reviewed for the 2nd time this season while also a couple of their better players, namely Heny and Ogbene will be courted by other clubs and will possibly move on.