Limerick earn hard-fought draw against Derry in Buncrana

Limerick FC picked up a valuable point in Maginn Park against Derry City on Tuesday evening which keeps Willie Boland’s men in fourth position in the Airtricity League Premier Division. Captain Shane Duggan gave the visitors the lead with a fine strike after 12 minutes. However, Barry McNamee produced a fine strike of his own from a free-kick to deny Limerick all three points.

Shane Duggan started the game positively in midfield and gave Limerick the lead in the 12th minute. A neat one-two with Paul O’Conor allowed Duggan to drive through the centre of the field and unleash a fine left footed strike from 20 yards which flew past Ger Doherty in the Derry goal.

Derry grew into the game as the half wore on and Barry McNamee came close with a curling shot which flew wide of Brendan Clarke’s goal. Almost immediately, Brazilian Rodrigo Tosi came close to doubling Limerick’s lead with a rasping shot which flew just over the crossbar with Doherty beaten.

The home side began the second-half with a real purpose. Midfielder Nicky Low picked out left-back Dean Jarvis but his speculative effort was easily held by Clarke. On the hour mark, Derry grabbed a deserved equaliser as Barry McNamee buried a free-kick from 25 yards out.

Limerick responded well and Tosi almost restored the Shannonsiders lead with a low header only to be denied by Ger Doherty. The Candystripes almost gifted Limerick a goal as Dean Jarvis played a short backpass towards Ger Doherty. Winger Chris Mulhall reacted quickest to the mistake but was denied by Doherty in a one-on-one situation.

Limerick defender Tony Whitehead brilliantly blocked a late Barry McNamee effort when the midfielder looked certain to score. His central defensive partner Robbie Williams also blocked a Ronan Curtis shot as Derry increased the pressure in search of a winner. However, the Super Blues held on for a point to consolidate their 4th place position ahead of the trip to Tallaght to face Shamrock Rovers on Friday evening.

Derry City: Ger Doherty, Conor McDermott, Aaron Barry, Ben Doherty, Dean Jarvis, Harry Monaghan, Nicky Low, Barry McNamee, Mark Timlin (Ronan Curtis H/T), Lukas Schubert (Mikail Kennedy 77), Nathan Boyle.

Subs not used: Eric Grimes, Josh Daniels, Cathal Farren, Scot Whiteside, Alon Netzer.
Yellow Cards: Dean Jarvis (53), Barry McNamee (72), Mikail Kennedy (82).
Red Cards: None

Limerick FC: Brendan Clarke, Shaun Kelly, Tony Whitehead, Robbie Williams, Tommy Robson, Paul O’Conor, Shane Duggan, Lee-J Lynch, Chris Mulhall (Dean Clarke 70) Chiedozie Ogbene, Rodrigo Tosi (Tom Walsh 89).

Subs not used: Freddy Hall, Dave O’Connor, Tobiaz Kainz, Bastien Hery, John O’Flynn.
Yellow Cards: Paul O’Conor (9), Tony Whitehead, Shaun Kelly (46), Chris Mulhall (46)
Red Cards: None

Referee: Paul Tuite