League Report: Limerick 2 - 0 Cabinteely

Limerick all-but secured the First Division title as they strolled to a 2-0 victory over Cabinteely. First half goals from local duo Shane Tracy and Garbhan Coughlan were enough to hand Martin Russell’s side all three points.

The game was moved forward by four-and-a-half hours to accommodate Celtic’s tie with Inter Milan across Limerick City in Thomond Park.

The Dublin side were brave in their set up, going with a 4-4-2 formation from the off. They lacked the quality to hurt Limerick, and their sole opening in the first half saw the tricky Ben Hanrahan blocked by Tony Whitehead after Limerick failed to cut out the Dubliners first attack.

Limerick struck the front in the 19^th minute. Left-back Shane Tracy looked to have over-hit his free-kick only for the ball to land in the top corner. The dead ball looked too wide to beat Michael Kelly but the young stopper misjudged the ball.

Eddie Gormley’s side were under constant pressure, but for Kelly and poor Blues finishing, the hosts would have been out of sight.

On the half hour, Greene fluffed his lines after controlling expertly in the area. Cabinteely were affording too much space to Limerick who saw Garbhan Coughlan denied by Kelly after good movement on the wing from Stephen Kenny.

Coughlan went close again on 37 minutes only for Kelly to tip the ball over. The attacking midfielder was eventually rewarded just before the break when Limerick pressed well and the midfielder intercepted a loose pass, raced beyond Oscar Brennan and stroked the ball home.

The ex-Athlone Town man almost doubled his tally, just before the interval, latching onto his own header before volleying wide.

Coughlan went close once more after the restart as Limerick failed to capitalise on their dominance in possession.

Joe Doyle went close late on, but was thwarted by the onrushing Hall. Limerick wasted a penalty in stoppage time, when John O’Flynn fired over after a Cabinteely defender had handled inside the area.

The result leave Limerick 21 points clear with one found of fixtures, seven games, remaining. Martin Russell’s side can mathematically secure the title with a draw against in a fortnight.

Cabinteely, meanwhile, are 10 points adrift of 6^th place Shelbourne, having secured just 12 points from a possible 63 this term.

Limerick: Freddy Hall; Shaun Kelly, Tony Whitehead, Robbie Williams, Shane Tracy; Shane Duggan (Paul O’Conor 67), Lee Lynch, Stephen Kenny (Ross Mann 67), Aaron Greene, Garbhan Coughlan (Chris Mulhall 86); John O’Flynn.

Subs not used: Tommy Holland (gk), Paudie O’Connor, Sean McSweeney, Colm Murphy.

Booked: O’Flynn (38), Kelly (71).

Cabinteely: Michael Kelly; Adam Maher (Lee Mitchell 60), Oscar Brennan, Edward McDonagh © (Christian Lotefa 63), Andrew McGovern; Mark Slater, Aaran Brilly, Shane Boyle (Gavin Howard 75), Kevin Knight; Joe Doyle, Ben Hanrahan.

Subs not used: Jamie Broderick, Aji Sule, Paul Fox, Jack Menton.

Booked: Brennan (38).
 

Referee: Adriano Reale.
Attendance: 1,255.
Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Garbhan Coughlan (Limerick).