Mervue United 0 - 3 Limerick FC

Limerick returned to winning ways as they put in a very professional performance at Fahy’s Field tonight, hitting Mervue Utd for three goals without reply and moving to the top of the First Division table for the first time this season.

The visitors continued their good record at the Galway venue as they recorded their fourth win at the ground, each of which came on the back of a defeat in their previous game.

Former Mervue player Rory Gaffney showed the visitor’s intent just three minutes in as it took an excellent touch from young home keeper Conor Gleeson to divert his effort from 18 yards onto the post.

Limerick continued to press and got their reward on 23 minutes when they opened the scoring. Gaffney was once again instrumental as he tormented his old side down the right before crossing into the box where Sean Brosnan provided the finish as his strike hit the ground before bouncing past Conor Gleeson into the corner of the net.

They doubled that lead four minutes later as Joe Gamble was hauled down by Mervue captain Mike Elwood in the box. Shane Tracy repeated his penalty effort of last March’s game as he confidently stroked the ball past Gleeson for 2-0 from the spot.

Stephen Walsh almost reduced that lead back to the minimum on 37 minutes when good play from Noel Varley and Pat Hoban set up the scoring chance but he pulled his shot across the face of Dave Ryan’s goal and just wide of the far post.

Gaffney flashed another effort high and wide as Limerick finished the half on the attack. They could have extended their lead on the hour mark as Brosnan raced through the middle onto a Jeffrey Judge ball but Gleeson advanced to block the winger’s effort.

That lead was increased on 63 minutes when Shane Tracy floated a free-kick into the box and sub Jeffrey Judge was on hand to head past an exposed Gleeson. Sub Dominic Foley almost made it four shortly after his introduction but he fired over from close range after getting himself into a good position on 75 minutes.

Three minutes later and Gaffney couldn’t find the net either as he flashed a close range header wide as he once again failed to find the target against his old club. With four minutes remaining Gaffney played a lovely ball into strike partner Foley who controlled well before attempting an audacious over head bicycle kick which flew straight at Gleeson.

The home side offered little going forward in that second period and Limerick cruised to the finishing line as they bounce back from last week’s defeat in Waterford with the added bonus of going top with Longford’s draw in Wexford.

Mervue United: Conor Gleeson; Martin Conneely, James Casserley (Michael McSweeney ’77), Mike Elwood, Mark Ludden; Etanda Nkololo (Brian Connolly ’80), Noel Varley, Shane Keogh (Gary Kelly ’73), Alan Murphy, Stephen Walsh; Pat Hoban.

Subs not used: TJ Forde (GK), Alex Lee, Jean Biansumba, Damien O’Rourke.

Bookings: Casserly (62).

Limerick FC: Dave Ryan; Shaun Kelly, Corie Tracey, Pat Purcell, Shane Tracy; Sean Brosnan, Joe Gamble, David O'Leary (Jeffrey Judge ’28), James McGrath (Garry Sheahan ’75); Rory Gaffney, Denis Behan (Dominic Foley ’69).

Subs not used: Shane Cusack (GK), Shane Guthrie, Derek O’Brien, Garbhan Coughlan. 

Bookings: Brosnan (54), Gamble (68).

Referee: Kevin O’Regan (Kerry)

Attendance: 307

extratime.ie Man of the Match: Rory Gaffney (Limerick FC) – Star quality all night.