Premier Division: Limerick FC 3 - 1 UCD

Homepage image courtesy of Steve Alfred / stevealfredphotos@gmail.com

Limerick recorded their first win in the Premier Division on Tuesday night, beating UCD by three goals to one. A brace for Darragh Rainsford and a strike from David O'Leary ensured that Garry Burke's goal was mere consolation at Thomond Park.

UCD began slightly the better, getting the ball to feet and using their five in midfield rather productively, but the first effort of the game arrived courtesy of O'Leary. His shot from twenty yards was parried well by UCD ‘keeper Mark McGinley and pushed to safety. 

Limerick weren't to be denied minutes later when Darragh Rainsford's clever run left him in space. His shot took a wicked deflection and looped over McGinley to put Limerick into the lead.

Before UCD could regroup, Limerick had doubled their advantage as three minutes later, a somewhat ambitious strike from David O'Leary twenty-five yards out deceived Mark McGinley. The ball appeared to skid off the surface, which altered the flight of the ball, and the UCD stopper was left helpless as the ball found the back of the net.

At this stage, the Students seemed deflated and the Blues capitalised with efforts from Craig Curran and Shane Tracy. The writing was on the wall for the visitors.

Darragh Rainsford doubled his tally on the half-hour mark when a poor back pass from Samir Belhout let Craig Curran in on goal, albeit from a narrow angle. His effort across goal was blocked on the line by Hugh Douglas but Rainsford was on hand to tap home from six yards. 

Just before the half time break, Samir Belhout appeared to tangle with David O'Leary. The latter came out far worse from the encounter and had to be stretchered off, despite there being no obvious malice in the clash - a huge loss to Limerick. The Cork native was replaced by Stephen Bradley at the beginning of the second half.

The second half began with a rise in tempo as the home side continued in their Barcelona-esque manner while the Students pressed for a way back into the game.

Only some fine acrobatics from Mark McGinley denied Stephen Bradley a goal of the year contender as the ex-Shamrock Rovers midfielder took aim from thirty-five yards. His looping effort was expertly tipped onto the crossbar and Patrick Nzuzi's follow up wasn't enough to make it four.

Shane Tracy was next to go close after a heavy through ball from Darragh Rainsford. Tracy managed to direct the pass goalwards but was denied by the outstretched McGinley.

An excellent cross from the right was met by Craig Curran shortly afterwards; his knock back to the far post was met by the in-rushing Brian O'Callaghan but his header was blocked by the UCD stopper once more.

UCD pulled one back after seventy-two minutes when a fantastic through ball from Robbie Creevy found Garry Burke's run. The midfielder finished excellently to claw a goal back for the away side.

Limerick played out the remainder of the game with relative ease and will be delighted with their first win in the Premier Division.

Limerick FC: Barry Ryan; Patrick Nzuzi (Shaun Kelly 79), Stephen Folan, Brian O'Callaghan, Robbie Williams; Shane Tracy (Steven McGann 73), David O'Leary (Stephen Bradley 46), Joe Gamble; Danny Galbraith, Darragh Rainsford, Craig Curran.
Subs not Used: Shane Cusack, Shane Costelloe, Pat Purcell, Barry Sheedy.

Bookings: Patrick Nzuzi

UCD: Mark McGinley; Gareth Matthews, Thomas Boyle, Hugh Douglas, Mark Langtry; Dean Clarke (Samir Belhout 9), Barry McCabe (Craig Walsh 68), Robbie Creevy (James Kavanagh 87), Sean Russell, Garry Burke; David McMillan.
Subs not Used: Ger Barron, Sean Coyne, Tyrone McNelis, Daniel Corcoran.

Bookings: Barry McCabe

Referee: Alan Kelly.

Attendance: 1,712

Extratime Man of the Match: Craig Curran (Limerick FC).