Neil McDonald’s side fail to build on Drogheda win with poor Galway display.

Frustration was the overriding feeling as Limerick’s inconsistency again proved costly with a rejuvenated Galway side running out deserved 3-1 winners.

Goals from Ronan Murray, Padraic Cunningham and Eoin McCormack saw the home side build a 3-0 lead before a 90th minute Garbhán Coughlan goal which was scant consolation for the travelling support.

Limerick should have been ahead early on when Lee J Lynch set up Rodrigo Tosi but the Brazilian’s attempt failed to hit the target and was no threat to Conor Winn in the Galway goal.

Once again, Chiedozie Ogbene’s pace was a thorn in Galway’s side. The former Cork City player got on the end of a Dean Clarke through ball and bore down on goal.

It looked set to be 1-0 to Limerick but Galway defender Lee Grace intervened to block the shot and snuff out the chance.

pace was a real danger throughout the game and he showed it off when he ran onto Dean Clarke’s through ball in the first half. The forward looked certain to score but Lee Grace just got across the player to block down the shot.

In a half of few chances, the hosts would break the deadlock when Marc Ludden played a fine ball to Ronan Murray. The forward getting control of the ball and firing an unstoppable shot to the top corner of the net.

The goal unsettled Limerick and two minutes later Galway would double their advantage. Some poor defending allowed Paraic Cunningham through on goal. One on one with Brendan Clarke, the striker buried the ball in the bottom corner.

Limerick were now 2-0 down heading into interval and needed a response early in the second half. A headed Tosi effort did little to test Conor Winn as Limerick toiled to create opportunities.

Neil McDonald’s side tried desperately to get back into the game and came close to pulling a goal back from a corner when the ball bobbled around in the goalmouth only for Colm Horgan to grasp the ball before it crossed the line.

Indeed Galway spent the majority of the second half fending off Limerick attacks and nicked a third goal from substitute Eoin McCormack.

After some confusion in the Limerick defence the frontman repelled Limerick challenges to slot the ball past Clarke to seal the points for Galway.

Limerick finally managed a goal through substitute Garbhan Coughlan who created an opening for himself before finishing past Winn to make it 3-1 but it was too little, too late.

The defeat keeps Limerick in 6th while Galway up to 10th.

Limerick manager Neil McDonald was disappointed with his side’s poor finishing and bemoaned several golden opportunities.

“We’ve had a couple of really good chances and we haven’t put them in the back of the net and that’s what normally happens.”

“I don’t think we’re in a relegation battle – we’re trying to go up the top but results like this and performances that happened have to be better to win games and certainly when the chances come along, we have to put them in the back of the net,”

Galway United: Conor Winn; Colm Horgan, Lee Grace, Stephen Folan, Marc Ludden; Kevin Devaney, Alex Byrne, David Cawley, Gavan Holohan (Conor Melody, 84); Ronan Murray (Gary Shanahan, 88), Padraic Cunningham (Eoin McCormack, 74).

Subs not used: James Tierney, Paul Sinnott, Vinny Faherty, Gary Kineen.

Booked: David Cawley (18).

Limerick: Brendan Clarke, Joe Crowe, David O’ Connor, Tony Whitehead, Robbie Williams; Lee Lynch (Stephen Kenny, 80), Shane Duggan, Bastien Hery, Chedozie Ogbene; Rodrigo Tosi (John O’Flynn,59), Dean Clarke (Garbhan Coughlan, 59).

Subs not used: Freddy Hall, Paul O’Conor, Shane Tracy, Chris Mulhall.

Booked: None.

Referee: Neil Doyle.

Attendance: 1,471 (official).