Limerick 3 - 3 Monaghan United
Credit:
Monaghan United fought back to grab a share of the spoils at Jackman Park
tonight. Limerick looked like they were cruising to all three points but a
late comeback by Mick Cooke’s side grabbed a point for the Ulster side.
Pat Scully’s side took the early lead through the in-form Stephen O’ Flynn after six minutes. An out swinging Daryl Kavanagh cross was misread by the Monaghan United defence. As new Wolves signing Aaron McCarey went to clear the ball, Stephen Flynn took the ball from his feet to scramble the ball into the back of the Monaghan net from two yards.
Limerick’s confidence grew and they continued to dominate possession after the opening goal. Thomas Lyons came close after ten minutes but his shot was deflected wide. From the resulting corner, Brian O’Callaghan headed over to the relief of the Monaghan defence.
Limerick didn’t have to wait long for their second and John Tierney doubled their lead in the 17th minute. Just as John Boyle broke down a Monaghan attack, Tierney ran onto the resulting pass in midfield. He broke away from the centre circle to run through the Monaghan defence with ease. Tierney slotted his shot past McCarey in the Monaghan goals.
Despite Limerick’s control of the game in the first half, Monaghan fought their way back into the game and they were rewarded for their persistence with a headed goal in the 25th minute. A cross from Shane Grimes was headed over Brian Collopy into the Limerick net.
It remained 2-1 to hosts until half time as Mick Cooke’s side began to take control of the game.
Limerick added a third in the 50th minute and they looked like they would cruise to an easy victory but Monaghan had other ideas. A through ball from Jason Hughes gave Daryl Kavanagh the opportunity to take on McCarey in goals. A mix up between Aidan Lynch and McCarey let Kavanagh through on goals to restore Limerick’s two goal advance.
From the second game in a row, Limerick began to sit back and try and defend their lead but Monaghan’s pressure paid off in the 61st minute when referee Phil Caschera awarded Mick Cooke’s side a penalty after John Boyle was adjudged to have handled the ball from a Karl Bermingham shot.
Limerick looked to restore their two goal lead but they were caught on the counterattack in the 81st minute. A combination of poor defending and slick passing gave Monaghan the opportunity to equalise with nine minutes remaining. Stephan McCrossan stunned the home crowd as he beat Brian Collopy at the front post after a cross from Cathal O’ Connor.
Pat Scully’s side will be disappointed to miss out on the opportunity to rise to sixth place in the League of Ireland First Division at the expense of Monaghan United but Mick Cooke’s side will be delighted with the shared spoils as they continue to keep the pressure on Wexford in 5th place.
Limerick FC: Brian Collopy, John Boyle, Martin Deady, Brian O’ Callaghan, Gavin Roche, Daryl Kavanagh (Shane Waters), Thomas Lyons, Jason Hughes, Shane Tracy, John Tierney (Robbie Kelleher, 85), Stephen O’ Flynn. Substitutes not used: Aaron Gilmartin, Ian Storan, Dave McGrath.
Monaghan United: Aaron McCarey, Stefan McKevitt, Shane Grimes, Aidan Lynch, Paul Whelan, Alan Byrne, Cathal O’ Connor, Stephan McCrossan, Karl Bermingham, David Freeman (Barry Clancy, 61), Darragh Hanaphy. Substitutes not used: Niall Flynn, James Clarke, Dean McMahon, Ronan McGann.
Referee: P. Caschera (Dublin)
Attendance: Approx 300
Extratime.ie man of the match: Jason Hughes. The main link between defence and attack for Limerick and provided many through balls for the front two of Limerick.
Pat Scully’s side took the early lead through the in-form Stephen O’ Flynn after six minutes. An out swinging Daryl Kavanagh cross was misread by the Monaghan United defence. As new Wolves signing Aaron McCarey went to clear the ball, Stephen Flynn took the ball from his feet to scramble the ball into the back of the Monaghan net from two yards.
Limerick’s confidence grew and they continued to dominate possession after the opening goal. Thomas Lyons came close after ten minutes but his shot was deflected wide. From the resulting corner, Brian O’Callaghan headed over to the relief of the Monaghan defence.
Limerick didn’t have to wait long for their second and John Tierney doubled their lead in the 17th minute. Just as John Boyle broke down a Monaghan attack, Tierney ran onto the resulting pass in midfield. He broke away from the centre circle to run through the Monaghan defence with ease. Tierney slotted his shot past McCarey in the Monaghan goals.
Despite Limerick’s control of the game in the first half, Monaghan fought their way back into the game and they were rewarded for their persistence with a headed goal in the 25th minute. A cross from Shane Grimes was headed over Brian Collopy into the Limerick net.
It remained 2-1 to hosts until half time as Mick Cooke’s side began to take control of the game.
Limerick added a third in the 50th minute and they looked like they would cruise to an easy victory but Monaghan had other ideas. A through ball from Jason Hughes gave Daryl Kavanagh the opportunity to take on McCarey in goals. A mix up between Aidan Lynch and McCarey let Kavanagh through on goals to restore Limerick’s two goal advance.
From the second game in a row, Limerick began to sit back and try and defend their lead but Monaghan’s pressure paid off in the 61st minute when referee Phil Caschera awarded Mick Cooke’s side a penalty after John Boyle was adjudged to have handled the ball from a Karl Bermingham shot.
Limerick looked to restore their two goal lead but they were caught on the counterattack in the 81st minute. A combination of poor defending and slick passing gave Monaghan the opportunity to equalise with nine minutes remaining. Stephan McCrossan stunned the home crowd as he beat Brian Collopy at the front post after a cross from Cathal O’ Connor.
Pat Scully’s side will be disappointed to miss out on the opportunity to rise to sixth place in the League of Ireland First Division at the expense of Monaghan United but Mick Cooke’s side will be delighted with the shared spoils as they continue to keep the pressure on Wexford in 5th place.
Limerick FC: Brian Collopy, John Boyle, Martin Deady, Brian O’ Callaghan, Gavin Roche, Daryl Kavanagh (Shane Waters), Thomas Lyons, Jason Hughes, Shane Tracy, John Tierney (Robbie Kelleher, 85), Stephen O’ Flynn. Substitutes not used: Aaron Gilmartin, Ian Storan, Dave McGrath.
Monaghan United: Aaron McCarey, Stefan McKevitt, Shane Grimes, Aidan Lynch, Paul Whelan, Alan Byrne, Cathal O’ Connor, Stephan McCrossan, Karl Bermingham, David Freeman (Barry Clancy, 61), Darragh Hanaphy. Substitutes not used: Niall Flynn, James Clarke, Dean McMahon, Ronan McGann.
Referee: P. Caschera (Dublin)
Attendance: Approx 300
Extratime.ie man of the match: Jason Hughes. The main link between defence and attack for Limerick and provided many through balls for the front two of Limerick.
About David Byrne
is a freelance sports reporter based in Limerick who has been following the League of Ireland for as long as he can remember. As an avid Limerick supporter his earliest memory of the League was … View Full Profile