League Report: Limerick FC 1-1 Bohemians

Limerick FC and Bohemians played out their third draw of the 2018 campaign and their second 1-1 draw at the Markets Field. Barry Maguire opened the scoring for Limerick but a late Dan Casey leveller denied Limerick the victory.

Limerick fashioned the first opportunity of the game as Will Fitzgerald showed great industry to send Barry Maguire through on goal but the midfielder placed the ball straight off the advancing Shane Supple and Daniel Kearns skied the rebound.

The home side were playing attractive football and created another opportunity from a Will Fitzgerald long throw. The visitors failed to clear but two vital blocks denied both Daniel Kearns and Shane Duggan in the box.

The Shannonsiders took a deserved lead when Barry Maguire blasted a shot past Shane Supple from six yards as he reacted quickest to a Mark O’Sullivan knock down in the penalty area.

Tommy Barrett’s men came close to extending their lead when a fizzed free-kick delivery from Daniel Kearns fell to Eoin Wearen who’s left footed effort flew wide of Supple’s left hand post. Immediately afterwards, the home side came close as great work from Will Fitzgerald resulted in the lively winger teeing up Maguire to curl an effort wide of the same post from the edge of the box.

Bohemians had been exceptionally disappointing and winger Paddy Kavangh mustered their first chance of the half when he placed a shot well over Brendan Clarke’s crossbar. As we awaited the half-time whistle, Dylan Watts drew a great save from Clarke. Kavanagh tried his luck from distance but failed to trouble the Super Blues netminder.

Bohemians made a double half-time substitution as Patrick Kirk and Kevin Devaney replaced Dan Byrne and Phillip Gannon. They certainly started brightly and should have capitalised on a poor Tony Whitehead mistake as Paddy Kavanagh evaded the challenge of the Charleville native before squaring for Watts who forced a left footed save from Clarke, Truthfully, Watts should have equalised.

Limerick captain Shane Duggan drove straight at the heart of the Gypsies defence but he dragged his shot badly wide. The early scare certainly woke the Markets Field outfit and neat build up from Daniel Kearns and Shane Duggan resulted in the former reaching the by-line but his pull back was cleared.

Daniel Kearns was full of confidence and producing one of his best performances for the club. The former Sligo man hit a rasping drive towards goal which was punched clear by a worried Shane Supple.

Substitute Karl O’Sullivan almost produced a Ryan Giggs style piece of magic as he weeved his way past Kevin Devaney before drilling a shot at goal but Ireland goalkeeper Shane Supple was equal to it.

With five minutes remaining, Limerick were struck a body blow. After surrendering possession in midfield, Dylan Watts unleashed a piledriver which was saved by Clarke. However, following a goalmouth scramble after the corner, Dan Casey placed a shot into the net via the post.

Limerick were lucky to escape with a point as Kevin Devaney broke clear on the left before squaring to a completely unmarked Keith Ward but the former Sligo man managed to blaze a shot over the bar from six yards.

It is a disappointing result for Limerick based on the first half performance although the visitors improved drastically in the second half and could have snatched a winner late on. With relegation rivals Bray Wanderers and Sligo picking up victories, it leaves Limerick in ninth place and seven points ahead of Bray.

Limerick FC: Brendan Clarke, Shaun Kelly (Shane Tracy 63), Tony Whitehead, Eoin Wearen, Killian Cantwell, Conor Clifford, Barry Maguire, Shane Duggan, Daniel Kearns, Will Fitzgerald (Karl O’Sullivan 75), Mark O’Sullivan.

Subs not used: Tommy Holland, Killian Brouder, Jeff McGowan, Jason Cross.
Yellow Cards: Eoin Wearen (83), (Karl O’Sullivan (88)
Red Cards:

Bohemians: Shane Supple, Derek Pender, Dan Casey, Rob Cornwall, Ian Morris, Dan Byrne, Dylan Watts, Keith Ward, Phillip Gannon, Paddy Kavanagh (Dinny Corcoran 70), Eoghan Stokes

Subs not used: Sean Bohan, Andy Lyons, JJ Lunney
Yellow Cards: Dan Casey (49), Ian Morris (51)
Red Cards:

Referee: Tomas Connolly