Limerick FC played their second pre-season friendly against first Division Cobh Ramblers at the University of Limerick on Saturday evening and ran out comfortable 2-0 winners courtesy of goals from Shane Tracy and Billy Dennehy.
Limerick were certainly the brighter team in the opening minutes and brought a better intensity to the game in comparison with the opening pre-season scoreless draw against Galway United. In the opening stages, Cian Coleman, Daniel Kearns and Billy Dennehy impressed. It was the latter who had the ball in the net after four minutes when he struck a superb volley past Adam Mylod from a Daniel Kearns cross but the linesman ruled that the former Cork City man was offside. It did not take long for the lead goal to arrive. Shane Tracy lifted the ball over Mylod with a perfectly placed volley to send the Shannonsiders into a deserved early lead.
The returning Shaun Kelly was getting a lot of joy and linking up well with Billy Dennehy on the right flank. It was the former who saw his shot skip just wide of the post as Tommy Barrett’s side continued to apply pressure. The lead should have been doubled as a nervous Mylod placed a tame headed clearance into the path of Captain Shane Duggan whose lob hit the crossbar. Shortly afterwards, Mylod made up for his error with two superb stops to deny both Shaun Kelly and Shane Duggan from extending the lead.
Approaching half-time, Mark O’Sullivan was fouled in the box and referee Robert Hennessy awarded the penalty kick. Billy Dennehy smashed the ball into the bottom corner to give Limerick a 2-0 lead. At the beginning of the second half, Dennehy almost grabbed his second goal as an inswinging cross from Eoin Wearen was converted by the lively winger but again he was denied by the offside flag. The game slowed down considerably as each side introduced a host of substitutions. The pattern certainly changed as Cobh had two efforts which were superbly saved by substitute goalkeeper Freddy Hall.
Although it is hard to read too much into pre-season games, the Limerick coaching staff will certainly be pleased by the lack of goals conceded so far. Limerick will play Shelbourne at Larney Park in Finglas next Sunday as pre-season continues.
Limerick FC: Brendan Clarke, Shaun Kelly, Tony Whitehead, Darren Dennehy, Shane Tracy, Eoin Wearen, Cian Coleman, Shane Duggan, Daniel Kearns, Billy Dennehy, Mark O’Sullivan
Subs (all used): Freddy Hall, Killian Brouder, Alan Murphy, Clyde O’Connell, Danny Morrissey, William Fitzgerald, Colm Walsh-O’Loughlin, Ger Barry, Trialist 1, Trialist 2, Trialist 3.
Cobh Ramblers: Adam Mylod, Charlie Fleming, Kevin Taylor, Ben O’Riordan, Trialist 1, Trialist 2, Stephen Christopher, Darren Murphy, Trialist 3, Cian Leonard, Ian Mylod.
Subs (all used): Paul Hunt, James McSweeney, Peter Callanan, David Hurley, Jaze Kabia, Beineon O’Brien Whitmarsh, Trialist 4, Trialist 5