Limerick FC claimed a vital three points in their bid to avoid automatic relegation to the Airtricity League First Division when they defeated Bray Wanderers 0-2 at the Carlisle Grounds. First half goals from Barry Maguire and Conor Ellis were enough to secure Limerick’s fourth victory over Bray this season.
Limerick started very brightly and winger Karl O’Sullivan forced a superb save from Mark O’Connor in the Bray goal. From the resulting corner, Killian Cantwell came close to giving the visitors the lead. O’Sullivan was causing all sorts of problems for the Bray defence early on.
Former Limerick player Sean Harding had Bray’s first chance of the game as he blazed a shot over Tommy Holland’s crossbar. Shortly afterwards, Tommy Barrett’s men took the lead as Shane Duggan pounced on a loose ball before rounding O’Connor and laying the ball off for fellow midfielder Barry Maguire to tap home.
As the game approached half time, the Shannonsiders doubled their lead as Conor Kenna failed to adequately clear a Karl O’Sullivan cross which allowed Conor Ellis to prod the ball home.
Bray striker Jake Ellis was having a bigger influence on the game in the second half and he forced a routine save from Holland while the lively youngster also blasted an effort over the crossbar. Harding should have pulled a goal back for Gary Cronin’s side as he failed to hit the target from six yards out as the ball fell invitingly.
The Super Blues managed to hold on to their two goal advantage which leaves them 12 points clear of Bray with four games remaining. The result all but seals a promotion/relegation play off place against the winner of the first division play off.
Bray Wanderers: Mark O’Connor, Jamie Crilly (Byron O’Gorman 77), Sean Heaney, Conor Kenna, Kevin Lynch, Paul O’Conor (John Sullivan 69), Rhys Gorman, Daragh Noone, Sean Harding, Jake Kelly (Ger Pender 36), Jake Ellis.
Limerick FC: Tommy Holland, Shaun Kelly, Killian Cantwell, Killian Brouder, Shane Tracy, Cian Coleman (Will Fitzgerald 72), Darren Murphy, Shane Duggan, Barry Maguire (Danny Morrissey 80), Karl O’Sullivan, Conor Ellis
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