League Report: Shamrock Rovers 1 - 0 Limerick FC

A Gary McCabe second half penalty was enough to see off the challenge of Limerick on Friday night.

The phrase “This game had an end of season feel to it” is a cliché because of matches similar to tonight's one. The first half was lethargic, one-dimensional and quite boring. The tell sign to this was almost every reporter in the press box were streaming the title decider match between Dundalk and Cork City on their laptops.

The Hoops came into the game nailed on in fourth spot barring any substantial goal swing between them and St. Pat's. Craig Hyland was given a start by Pat Fenlon while reported Cork City transfer target, Karl Sheppard, began the match on the bench.

Limerick had the chance of moving up a spot into 5^th place ahead of Sligo if they won tonight and Sligo lose to St Pat's.

The first shot on goal came on the 23^rd minute through Limerick's captain Shane Duggan. A neat back heel from Djilali to Duggan who struck a tame effort that rolled into Craig Hyland's arms.

Gary McCabe and Lee Lynch seemed to be the only two players playing with a respectable level of urgeny in the opening half an hour. Both players attempted to get on the ball as much as possible. McCabe was displaying some good touches and getting his side moving, while Lynch demanded the ball from his team-mates, playing quick one-two's.

Photo by Peter Fitzpatrick

38 minutes had passed when smart wing play by Kieran Marty Waters to beat his man and whip in a low bouncing cross which Kilduff came sliding in for but couldn't direct his effort on target.

Two minutes a later we witnessed a moment of quality from Ian Turner as he nearly scored the opening goal. He swivelled on the ball before unleashing a curling shot from 30 yards which smashed off of the crossbar.

Simon Madden was a good outlet as usual down the Rovers right hand side. He managed 4 crosses in the first half, two of which were very threatening to the Limerick defence.

The only goal of the game came 11 minutes into the second half through a Gary McCabe penalty. Simon Madden broke down the right and crossed a good ball onto the chest of Ciaran Kilduff and he was deemed to be tripped by Samuel Oji.

Rather predictably, following the goal, the match fizzled out without much noteworthy events. McCabe continued to be The Hoops' most dangerous player as he threatened to score on a couple of occasions.

Both sets of supporters will be happy to see the end of this season to let the optimism fester and gradually build up over the off-season.

Shamrock Rovers: Craig Hyland; Simon Madden, Rob Cornwall, Jason McGuiness, Luke Byrne (Sean Heaney 51); Pat Cregg, Stephen McPhail, Gary McCabe, Ronn Finn (Ryan Brennan 85) , kieran Marty Waters; Ciaran Kilduff (Karl Sheppard 61).
Subs not used: Barry Murphy (gk), Evan Osam, Shane Robinson, Robert Bayly,

Booked: Gary McCabe (65).

Limerick FC: Ali Abass; Patrick Nzuzi (Prince Agyemang 54), Michael Leahy, Samuel Oji, Shane O'Connor; Shane Duggan, Lee lynch, Shane Treacy (Joseph Ndo 72), Ian Turner, Ross Mann (Darragh Rainsford 72); Kieran Djiali
Subs not used: Shane Cusack (gk), Tony Whithehead, Colm Murphy,Val Fenney

Booked: None.

Referee: James McKell

Attendance: 1,500 (Estimate)

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Gary McCabe