Limerick FC ease to victory over Wexford

Limerick FC cruised to victory against Wexford FC on Friday night at the Markets Field as goals from Shane Tracy, Karl O’Sullivan, Adam Foley and Lee Devitt saw the Shannonsiders win 4-1. Sean Roche replied for Wexford.

Limerick were awarded a penalty after just one minute when Alan Murphy was upended in the box and seasoned penalty take Shane Tracy converted the penalty in what might be his last home game in a Limerick jersey after 12 years of service.

Wexford responded well and Andrew O’Connor’s low drive was held by Jack Brady, one player who has performed superbly for the Super Blues all season.

Shane Griffin of Wexford and Lee Devitt of Limerick then traded shots from distance, neither of which troubled either goalkeeper. Approaching the half hour mark, the Shannonsiders doubled their lead as Karl O’Sullivan picked up possession on the edge of the box before burying a right footed drive into the bottom corner of the net.

O’Sullivan was now heavily involved and played a quick one-two at the edge of the box with Tracy before curling an effort just over the crossbar. As half time beckoned, Adam Foley set up Alan Murphy at the edge of the box but the winger opted to take a touch which allowed Liam Berry to intercept the ball.

Moments later, Berry made a lung bursting run down the right wing before squaring for an unmarked Andy Mulligan inside the penalty area, but somehow Jack Brady managed to block Mulligan’s effort out for a corner which was subsequently cleared.

At the beginning of the second half, Limerick trebled their lead as Andy Quaid played the ball into the path of Adam Foley who dispatched the ball beyond the helpless Colum Feeney.

It got even better for the home side as they added their fourth goal with an hour gone on the clock. It looked as through Edmond O’Dwyer’s storming run had been stopped but he re-gained possession before sliding the ball through to Lee Devitt and the midfielder smashed the ball beyond Feeney.

Wexford should have pulled a goal back but substitute Connor English was denied by Brady before Aaron Fitzgerald blocked a goal bound effort. Wexford left the home side off the hook once more when Daithi Corish managed to head Emmet Nugent’s corner over the crossbar when it looked easier to score. Sean Roche pulled a goal back for Wexford with a late header.

It proved to the final clear cut chance of the game as Limerick ended their home campaign with an emphatic 4-1 victory.

Limerick FC: Jack Brady, Andy Quaid, Robbie Williams, Tomas O’Connor (Ciaran O’Reilly), Aaron Fitzgerald, Shane Tracy, Edmond O’Dwyer (Conor Coughlan 75), Lee Devitt, Karl O’Sullivan, Alan Murphy (Sean Madigan 66), Adam Foley

Unused Subs: Callan Scully

Wexford FC: Colum Feeney, Liam Berry, Daithi Corish, Lee Costello, Andrew O’Connor, Paddy Cahill, Shane Griffin, Daryl Walsh (Connor English 36), Andy Mulligan (Sean Roche 67), Emmet Nugent, Thomas Croke

Unused Subs: Corey Chambers