Limerick emerge victorious from Bohemians clash

Neil McDonald picked up his first victory as Limerick FC manager as the Shannonsiders defeated Bohemians 1-2 at Dalymount Park. Goals from top scorer Rodrigo Tosi and an own goal by Dan Byrne secured the victory for the Super Blues in a vital game.

Limerick started brightly and a deep cross by Lee-J Lynch was nodded into the path of Rodrigo Tosi, whose effort was saved by Supple at the near post. The Brazilian did not have long to wait to score his seventh goal of the season. Robbie Williams headed a Bastien Hery free-kick in Tosi’s direction, and Limerick’s top scorer looped the ball into the net.

The visitors lead did not last long as neat interplay by Paddy Kavanagh and Keith Ward allowed the latter to cross low to the far post where George Poynton was waiting to powerfully side-foot the ball past Freddy Hall and in to the bottom corner of the net.

Soon afterwards, Limerick were lucky not to fall behind as poor marking from a corner kick allowed the unmarked Oscar Brennan a clear sight of goal, but young defender Barry Cotter blocked the former Cabinteely man’s shot.

After the restart, Limerick began with a great purpose. Captain Shane Duggan provided Chiedozie Ogbene with a perfectly waited through ball inside full-back Dylan Hayes but the Cork man hit the post from inside the box. Almost immediately, the Shannonsiders had another great chance as a Lee-J Lynch cross found the head of Tosi but the Brazilian directed his header wide of Shane Supple’s goal.

With 20 minutes remaining, Bohemians came close to taking the lead but Paddy Kavanagh’s attempted effort was superbly blocked by brave youngster Barry Cotter, who had to leave the field through injury afterwards.

With time running out, Neil McDonald’s men took the lead in comical fashion. Lee-J Lynch bypassed Lorcan Fitzgerald with great ease and crossed for Chiedozie Ogbene whose header was turned into his own net by the unlucky Bohemians central defender Dan Byrne.

The Gypsies right-back Dylan Hayes was sent off in the last minute after a reckless tackle on Ogbene. Just a few seconds later, Shaun Kelly was lucky to escape a red card after aggressively halting Jamie Doyle’s progress on goal, when the former Shelbourne winger looked to have beaten Limerick’s right-back.

The resulting free-kick was cleared and the Super Blues picked up a valuable three points which puts them four points clear of Bohemians in sixth place. More importantly, the gap between Limerick and the relegation zone is now six points ahead of another massive clash with Finn Harps in Ballybofey on Friday night.

Bohemians: Shane Supple, Dylan Hayes, Rob Cornwall, Dan Byrne, Lorcan Fitzgerald, Fuad Sule, Oscar Brennan (Ian Morris 79) Keith Ward (Phillip Gannon 85) Paddy Kavanagh (Jamie Doyle 85) George Poynton, Dinny Corcoran.

Subs not used: Greg Murray, Kaleem Simon, Dean Casey.

Yellow Cards: Lorcan Fitzgerald (73)
Red Cards: Dylan Hayes (90+3)

Limerick FC: Freddy Hall, Shaun Kelly, Barry Cotter (Tony Whitehead 71), Robbie Williams, Tommy Robson, Shane Duggan, Bastien Hery, Lee-J Lynch, Chiedozie Ogbene, Chris Mulhall (Dean Clarke 77), Rodrigo Tosi.

Subs not used: Tommy Holland, Paul O’Conor, Shane Tracy, Stephen Kenny, Ian Turner.

Yellow Cards: Shane Duggan (66), Shaun Kelly (90+4).
Red Cards: None

Referee:: Graham Kelly