Limerick FC secure massive victory in Sligo in Airtricity League Premier Division opener

Limerick FC secured a crucial three points at the Showgrounds on Saturday night as a headed goal from centre-back Darren Dennehy midway through the second half was enough to gain the narrow victory. It was a performance filled with determination, work-rate and heart which will please both the management and supporters equally as the club have been written off in many quarters for the season ahead.

Limerick began with an expected starting 11 judging by pre-season, experience and reputation. Brendan Clarke was in goal behind a back four of Shaun Kelly, Tony Whitehead, Darren Dennehy and Shane Tracy. The midfield trio consisted of league debutants Eoin Wearen and Cian Coleman shielding the defence while captain Shane Duggan featured in a number ten role which suited him in his earlier career at Cork City.

Duggan constantly played as a six under previous regimes which appeared to frustrate both the Limerick support and the player himself. Former Sligo player Daniel Kearns joined Billy Dennehy on opposite wings, either side of the combative Mark O’Sullivan.

Despite the number of debutants in the team, Limerick started brightly as Billy Dennehy appeared to have the beating of Gary Boylan early on. The Sligo defence were forced to clear two early corners. Dennehy and Shane Duggan had early efforts which failed to trouble Michael Sclingermann’s goal.

Daniel Kearns was next to try his luck for Limerick and unlike his teammates, he did hit the target and forced a good save from Michael Schlingermann to his left hand side. Sligo’s first opportunity came as a result of hesitant Limerick defending as Ally Roy swivelled and placed a shot just wide of Brendan Clarke’s right hand post.

Roy was beginning to have a bigger influence on the game and he easily skipped past Eoin Wearen before shooting wide again. On the half hour mark, Michael Sclingermann almost gifted the visitors with the opening goal as he totally missed a punch from a Shane Tracy cross which allowed Billy Dennehy to head goalwards. However, like the rest of the stadium, Dennehy did not anticipate the usually reliable goalkeeper missing the clearance and failed to connect cleanly.

Approaching the half-time whistle, the home side should have taken the lead. Limerick’s failure to defend set-pieces cost them last season and it was evident again here as Eduardo Pinceli nodded Rhys McCabe’s free-kick just beyond the left hand post. It was a let off for Limerick and although both Mark O’Sullivan and Darren Denney were effective in clearing other set-pieces throughout the night, it is still an area which needs work.

The second period began with two wayward free-kick efforts from Pinceli and McCabe. Sligo gained a foothold in the game at this point as the vociferous support were rallying behind the team unlike the first half. The quiet Adam Morgan, who Sligo will be relying on to supply goals for the club, was quiet all evening and he certainly needs a partner to be effective. His only effort of the night was a blasted strike which went straight at the grateful Brendan Clarke.

Just after the hour mark, Limerick took the lead. Sligo cleared an initial Billy Dennehy corner before the ball was picked up by Shane Duggan. The Limerick captain did well to make room for an inswinging cross which was attacked by Darren Dennehy and glanced into the far corner to send the away support into raptures.

Sligo reacted by making two attacking substitutions introducing Adam Wixted and Greg Moorhouse. Tommy Barrett reacted by giving a début to Killian Cantwell in place of the tiring Eoin Wearen. Cantwell’s instruction was clear, he would operate as a defensive midfielder/third centre-back.

The Bit O’Red had spells of possession but failed to trouble the Limerick defence greatly. In fact, as the game opened up, it was the Shannonsiders who nearly added to their lead as the skilful Daniel Kearns skipped inside Jack Keaney before drawing a superb save from Sclingermann.

The travelling support were certainly expecting a Sligo avalanche of attacks and aerial delivery as the final whistle drew near, but it never materialised. Substitute Will Fitzgerald should have added a second in injury-time after being sent clear by the energetic Cian Coleman, but the inexperienced winger fired an effort straight at Schlingermann with the goal gaping.

It was a brilliant win for Limerick and another clean sheet will certainly please Barrett and the backroom team. Although Sligo failed to adequately test Limerick for large periods, the whole team worked hard as a defensive unit and offered up little to their opposition. Another positive was the performance of Mark O’Sullivan up-front. The former Cork City man gave McFadden and Sharkey a torrid time and won a lot of aerial duels and his hold up play was excellent to take the pressure off the team.

Daniel Kearns grew into the game in the second period while Shane Duggan worked tirelessly for the team in his new role. It was clear that many Limerick players are still playing their way back to full fitness as Duggan, Kearns, O’Sullivan and Tracy were visibly struggling in the final minutes. It is vital with a small squad that all players gain a deserved rest period ahead of the first home game of the season against Bohemians at the Markets Field next Saturday evening.

Sligo Rovers: Michael Schlingermann, Craig Roddan (Jack Keaney 82), Seamus Sharkey, Kyle Callan-McFadden, Gary Boylan, Eduardo Pinceli, David Cawley, Rhys McCabe (Greg Moorhouse 75), Caolan McAleer (Adam Wixted 65), Ally Roy, Adam Morgan.

Subs not used: AJ McGinty, Rafael Cretaro, Lewis Morrison.
Yellow Cards: Eduardo Pinceli (37), Michael Schlingermann (90+4)
Red Cards: None

Limerick FC: Brendan Clarke, Shaun Kelly, Tony Whitehead, Darren Dennehy, Shane Tracy, Cian Coleman, Eoin Wearen (Killian Cantwell 68), Shane Duggan, Daniel Kearns (Will Fitzgerald 90), Billy Dennehy, Mark O’Sullivan (Danny Morrissey 87).

Subs not used: Freddy Hall, Karl O’Sulivan, Clyde O’Connell, Colm Walsh-O’Loughlin.
Yellow Cards: Darren Dennehy (20), Shane Duggan (44), Mark O’Sullivan (68)
Red Cards: None