Limerick FC claim a deserved point against reigning champions Cork City at the Markets Field

Limerick FC earned a hard fought 1-1 draw with Cork City at the Markets Field on Friday night. A superb solo effort from left-back Billy Dennehy was cancelled out by a Kieran Sadlier penalty as the sides shared the spoils in a competitive Munster derby.

Limerick made some tactical changes for the game with winger Billy Dennehy reverting to left-back while Killian Cantwell joined Cian Coleman and Shane Duggan in midfield. Danny Morrissey and Daniel Kearns were occupying the left and right wing respectively. The home side made a bright start as Billy Dennehy’s deep cross found Morrissey at the back post and he nodded the ball into the path of Shane Duggan who fired over the crossbar. Kieran Sadlier responded with a wayward shot of his own.

Limerick took a deserved lead as makeshift left-back Billy Dennehy showed all the qualities which made him one of the most feared wingers in the league in the recent past. He picked up the ball in his own half before driving past Karl Shephard and Conor McCormack and unleashed an unstoppable shot past the helpless Mark McNulty.

Cork were beginning to come into the game and industrious midfielder Gearoid Morrissey forced a superb save from Brendan Clarke with a 25 yard thunderbolt. Just five minutes later, the visitors were awarded a penalty as Darren Dennehy was adjudged to have bundled over a visiting player in the box from a Barry McNamee free-kick. Kieran Sadlier coolly converted the penalty to level the tie.

The visitors were now in the ascendancy and Karl Shephard almost gave John Caulfield’s side the lead but his improvised header traveled just over the crossbar. Moments later, strong hold up play from Graham Cummins resulted in a fortunate layoff to Barry McNamee but the former Derry City man failed to sufficiently test Brendan Clarke who comfortably collected.

Despite dominating possession in the opening stages of the second period, the Leesiders failed to create any clear cut chances. In fact, it was Tommy Barrett’s side who had the first chance. A free-kick delivery from Billy Dennehy found his brother Darren in the box but the centre-back blasted his left-footed effort over the crossbar.

Immediately after, Shaun Kelly advanced into the opposition half before producing a piledriver which forced Mark McNulty to push the ball over the bar.

On the hour mark, Cork left-back Shane Griffin managed to escape the clutches of Conor Ellis before picking out Karl Shephard but the winger was wasteful as he placed a shot straight at Clarke.

The Limerick full backs were enjoying their best games of the campaign and Shaun Kelly and Will Fitzgerald were linking up impressively. The Cork full back Shane Griffin did not enjoy many forward runs to trouble the youngster once he was switched to the right wing.

As the climax of the game approached, Limerick substitute Karl O’Sullivan went on a mazy run before placing a tame effort straight at the grateful McNulty. Limerick did endure one more scare before the full time whistle as Cork won a free-kick at the edge of the box. However, Brendan Clarke denied Sadlier with a low save to secure the point for the home side.

Limerick will face Shamrock Rovers on Monday night and will be looking to continue their unbeaten start at the Markets Field this season.

Limerick FC: Brendan Clarke, Shaun Kelly, Tony Whitehead, Darren Dennehy, Killian Cantwell, Cian Coleman, Shane Duggan, Danny Morrissey (Karl O’Sullivan 67), Billy Dennehy, Daniel Kearns (Will Fitzgerald H/T), Conor Ellis.

Subs not used: Tommy Holland, Kilian Brouder, Shane Tracy, Henry Cameron, Jeff McGowan.

Yellow Cards: Darren Dennehy (33), Tony Whitehead (47), Shaun Kelly (61), Cian Coleman (71)
Red cards: None

Cork City: Mark McNulty, Conor McCarthy, Aaron Barry, Sean McLoughlin, Shane Griffin, Gearoid Morrissey, Conor McCormack, Barry McNamee (Jimmy Keohane 70), Kieran Sadlier, Karl Shephard, Graham Cummins.

Subs not used: Peter Cherrie, Tobi Adebayo-Rowling, Colm Horgan, Danny Kane, Alec Byrne, Michael Howard.
Yellow cards: None
Red cards: None

Referee: Neil Doyle
Attendance: 1341