A great second half performance from Limerick and John Tierney in particular, registered the Blues with their first win of the season in Jackman Park tonight.

A long goal kick from Limerick stopper Dave Ryan caught the Longford Town defence napping as the ever present John Tierney tirelessly chased what seemed to be a hopeless cause. He latched onto it ten yards from goal before smashing it past Shanahan in the Longford goal.

Shane Treacy converted the second from twelve yards as Derek Tyrell was adjudged to have handled inside the box. The keeper got a hand to it, but nevertheless, Limerick found themselves two goals to the good.

The game started off slowly as neither side could quite grasp the pace of the game or deal with the conditions. The first real chance fell Jeffrey Judge’s way as the Limerick native fired just past the upright ten minutes in. Limerick pressed and a sublime piece of football from John Tierney combined with the head of Shane Clarke which crafted Shane Hickey a half chance. He shot well only to be denied by the acrobatic stop from Shanahan.

Longford’s only real chances of the first half fell to Derek Glynn. He found himself on the end of a cross only to see his headed effort fly past Ryan’s post. Almost immediately after, a mix up in the Limerick defence gifted him an opportunity which he lobbed high and wide into the night sky.

Half time arrived with neither manager extremely happy, although Tony Cousins would have been content with his side’s containment of Shane Clarke.

Limerick’s ambition was highlighted straight from the kickoff as John Tierney ran the length of the pitch to find his effort well saved by ‘De Town’s goalkeeper. Limerick began to dominate possession from here-on in, and were playing some attractive football.

The breakthrough arrived ten minutes after the break as Tierney chased Ryan’s kickout, before smashing the ball past the Longford net-minder.

Limerick refused to sit back, and their efforts were rewarded when a penalty was awarded by referee McKell after a Tierney cross struck the arm of Tyrell. Treacy converted to double the Shannonsiders advantage.

Longford seemed deflated and the introduction of yet another striker turned a few heads. Robbie Kelleher made an impact when he came on, holding up the ball extremely well, creating opportunities for his teammates. He tormented the Longford defence; inviting many challenges including that of on loan Shamrock Rovers full-back Victor Ekanem, in which he received a caution.

Limerick saw out the rest of the game to record their first three points of the season with considerable style, much to the delight of the vocal home support.

Limerick FC: Ryan, Hughes, White, Kelly, Boyle, Judge, Treacy, Kavanagh (Kelleher 70) , Hickey (Roche 89) , Tierney, Clarke.
Subs not Used: Stanley, Clinton, McGuinness.

Longford Town: Shanahan, Tyrell (McArdle 65) , G. Cronin, K. Cronin, Ekanem, Lester, Salmon, McEvoy, Hynes Mooney 77) , Glynn, McDonagh Freeman 77).
Subs not Used: Conlon, Hyland.
Booked: Ekanem, Tyrell, Lester.

Extratime man of the match: John Tierney

Referee: J. McKell

Attendance: 428