Limerick FC show great character to secure victory over Cabinteely

Limerick FC secured their second successive win with a well deserved 1-0 victory over Cabinteely at the Markets Field. A Connor Ellis goal in the first half was enough to get the three points in a night when the match was delayed by 25 minutes due to floodlight issues.

Both sides made encouraging starts but it was Limerick who should have hit the front when Connor Ellis picked out strike partner Kieran Hanlon in the box but he failed to connect properly with his header from 10 yards out.

Moments later, the home side had another good chance as tenacious play from Lee Devitt and Jason Hughes allowed the former to play Ellis through but the striker struck a tame effort straight at McGuinness.

McGuinness was called into action once more when a superb ball from Sean McSweeney found Ellis but the Cork native blasted his effort straight at the Cabinteely netminder before rushing the follow up and placing a shot wide.

Cabinteely’s first big chance came courtesy of a Robbie Williams error as the centre-back left goalkeeper Brady short with a back pass and Rob Manley raced to the by-line before picking out Jack Watson, but the midfielder’s shot was saved by Jack Brady.

Just after the half hour mark, the Shannonsiders edged in front when Hanlon used all of his strength on the end-line to hold off Jack Tuite before smashing a shot against the crossbar but Ellis was on hand to nod home from close range.

Youngster Lee Devitt grabbed possession at the edge of the box before flashing a shot off the crossbar. Just a minute later, McSweeney forced a save from McGuinness as the Super Blues upped the tempo once more.

The opening 20 minutes of the second half was a scrappy affair with Keith Dalton’s free-kick smothered by Jack Brady. Otherwise there were little chances to report.

Substitute Karl O’Sullivan was clearly eager to make an impression following his introduction and he was played down the line by Williams before squaring for Ellis who shot straight at McGuinness.

There was a bizarre delay with ten minutes of normal time remaining as referee Jason Mannix adjudged that it was too dark to continue as floodlights had not been turned on.

When the game eventually resumed 20 minutes later, Limerick striker Ellis was supplied by Karl O’Sullivan and after a strong run he blazed his shot over the bar.

The stoppage certainly didn’t help either teams cause but Limerick professionally closed out the game and picked up a vital three points.

Limerick FC: Jack Brady, Tomas O’Connor, Robbie Williams, Killian Brouder, Shane Tracy< Darren Murphy, Jason Hughes, Lee Devitt, Sean McSweeney, Kieran Hanlon (Karl O’Sullivan 69), Connor Ellis (Adam Foley 110)

Cabinteely FC: Stephen McGuinness, Jack Hudson (Luke Clucas 68), Jack Tuite, Sean Fitzpatrick, Johnathan Carlin, Eoin Massey, Zach O’Neill (Shane Barnes 68), Jack Watson, Keith Dalton, Kieran Waters, Rob Manley.