League Report: Limerick 6 - 1 Cobh Ramblers

Limerick continued their impressive start to the First Division with a comprehensive 6-1 victory over Munster rivals Cobh Ramblers on Saturday evening.

While the game lacked the excitement of previous matches at Markets Field, the Blues were efficient and effective throughout. Cobh caved late on after a good defensive display in the opening hour.

In the early exchanges Limerick dominated but the Rams held firm. Chances fell to Shane Tracy and Chris Mulhall. It was Mullhall, the ex-UCD attacker, who went close twice for Martin Russell’s men.

First he saw his dinked shot cleared off the line by a defender following a superb pass from Aaron Greene. Next he was released by Shane Duggan only for his control to let him down.
 

Stephen Kenny almost broke the deadlock after the half-hour mark, but his shot failed to test Paul Hunt and rolled wide. Cobh looked to play on the counter-attack to exploit the pace of Rob Lehane but Robbie Williams and Paudie O’Connor had it all too easy before the change of ends.
 

The opener came five minutes before the interval when Lee-J Lynch was set free by Greene. The midfielder sent a low ball across the area which eluded everybody, including Paul Hunt, and left Kenny with a tap-in against his former side.
 

Ian Mylod appeared to escape with a handball following a cross from the right on 53 minutes, as referee Eoghan O’Shea waved away claims for a penalty. Captain Shane Duggan brought the best from Hunt as Limerick looked for the killer goal.

It arrived after the hour when Paudie O’Connor made a superb run from the half-way line, a quick one-two allowed the centre-half to fire at Hunt. The rebound fell to Mulhall who finished before Hunt could gather the ball.
 

Shane O’Connor employed Freddy Hall minutes later – the Cobh captain will be disappointed to have fired straight at the ‘keeper. Limerick went through the gears from here to the finish, with Duggan next to go close, firing narrowly over the bar after excellent build-up play.
 

Greene made it three as Cobh were running out of energy. The winger latching onto a Stephen O’Flynn pass to leave the result in no doubt. Mylod slotted beneath Hall after Cory Galvins beautiful through ball moments later.
 

However Limerick replied immediately with Garbhan Coughlan heading home from a deep corner by Shane Tracy as the game became even more open.

Lynch tried his hand soon after but Hunt denied him with a strong left hand. Tracy found a Limerick head again, this time Williams nodded into the net.
 

The sixth – the cherry on top of the icing on top of the cake – came with seconds remaining. John O’Flynn opened his Limerick account as Greene centred for a tap in. It was far too easy for the hosts, but the scoreline didn’t reflect the efforts of the Rams’ defence.
 

The sides must re-group before meeting in the EA Sports Cup during the week. Limerick then travel to Athlone Town while Stephen Henderson’s side welcome UCD to St. Coleman’s Park.


Limerick: Freddy Hall; Séamus Sharkey, Paudie O’Connor, Robbie Williams, Shane Tracy; Shane Duggan©, Lee Lynch , Paul O’Conor; Stephen Kenny (Garbhan Coughlan 71), Chris Mulhall (John O’Flynn 72), Aaron Greene.

Subs not used: Tommy Holland (gk), Liam McCartan, Ross Mann, Colm Murphy, Jordan Moore.

Booked: Shane Duggan (76).

 

Cobh Ramblers: Paul Hunt; David Curran, Graham McCarthy,  Andy O’Connell,  Ian Mylod; Jason Abbott, Evan Galvin (Stephen Christopher 77), Cian Kingston (Stephen Griffin 64), Graham McCarthy; Rob Lehane.

Subs not used: Eoghan Daly (gk), Christopher McCarthy, Eoin McGreevy, Markus Gustavsson.

Booked:  Evan Galvin (48), Andy O’Connell (75).

Referee: Eoghan O’Shea.

Attendance: 1,590

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Lee J Lynch (Limerick).