Limerick suffer disappointing 0-1 defeat to Bohs

Limerick FC suffered a disappointing 0-1 defeat at the hands of Bohemians at the Markets Field on Monday night. The only goal of the game arrived on the 50th minute through striker Dinny Corcoran. It was the second defeat endured by the home side in four days, both by the same scoreline.

Limerick FC began the game brightly as captain Shane Duggan won possession in midfield before passing to fellow midfielder Lee-J Lynch. Lynch released Chiedozie Ogbene who crossed for Ian Turner to shoot well over the bar. Bohemians’ Paddy Kavanagh responded with a wild effort which failed to trouble Freddy Hall in the Limerick goal.

Approaching the quarter hour, Kavanagh almost turned provider as he swerved the ball behind the Limerick defence but striker Dinny Corcoran failed to connect on the stretch. Moments later, Corcoran should have put Bohs’ ahead as Shane Duggan surrendered possession in his own box but the striker somehow managed to place his shot wide of the post.

In an entertaining opening, Limerick winger Ian Turner tested Shane Supple who pushed the Cork man’s shot wide of the post. Halfway through the first- half, Bohemians were presented with another chance as a poor clearance from Hall allowed Jamie Doyle to power his way past Shaun Kelly and unleash a powerful effort which flashed wide of the left-hand post.

After those let-offs, it was clear that Limerick attempted to isolate right-back Derek Pender. The home side fed the ball to left-winger Chiedozie Ogbene on numerous occasions and the winger set up Lee-J Lynch but his effort from 20 yards was easily saved by Supple.

Shane Duggan was next to attempt to beat the Bohs’ goalkeeper as he hit a powerful left footed shot which was brilliantly repelled by the former Ipswich Town man. At this point, Limerick were beginning to gain a foothold in the visitors’ territory.
On the half hour mark, Ian Turner delivered an inviting corner which was flicked on by Robbie Williams to fellow centre-back Tony Whitehead, who side-footed wide under pressure at the back post.

Approaching half-time, veteran centre-back Robbie Williams was easily turned by the lively Corcoran who forced a decent save from Hall. It was to be the last chance of an action packed first period.

The Shannonsiders began the second half at a ferocious pace but were dealt a massive blow five minutes into the second-half. Limerick’s left-back Tommy Robson misjudged the flight of the ball which allowed Paddy Kavanagh to square the ball to the unmarked Dinny Corcoran to give the visitors the lead.

Limerick struggled immensely to respond and an acrobatic effort from Rodrigo Tosi which was well off target, was the best they could create. A double substitution by Limerick almost paid dividend as Chris Mulhall set up Duggan who could only shoot straight at Shane Supple.

Second substitute Dean Clarke unleashed a rasping shot just over the Bohs’ crossbar as Limerick applied more pressure.
Unfortunately for the home support, Bohemians goalkeeper Shane Supple and his back four were particularly solid in the last 20 minutes.

The Gypsies stifled any attack created by Martin Russell’s men which were very rare. Keith Long will be delighted with the way his side saw out the game with relative ease.

Limerick will be bitterly disappointed with their second-half performance and with Finn Harps picking up an unexpected victory against St. Patricks’ Athletic tonight, it makes Saturday’s home clash with the Donegal outfit even more important for Martin Russell and his coaching staff.

Limerick FC: Freddy Hall, Shaun Kelly, Tony Whitehead, Robbie Williams, Tommy Robson, Bastien Hery, Shane Duggan, Lee-J Lynch (Chris Mulhall 66), Ian Turner (Stephen Kenny 84), Rodrigo Tosi, Chiedozie Ogbene (Dean Clarke 66).
Subs not used: Brendan Clarke, Killian Brouder, Paul O’Conor, Garbhan Coughlan.

Yellow cards: None
Red cards: None

Bohemians: Shane Supple, Derek Pender, Dan Byrne, Rob Cornwall, Lorcan Fitzgerald, Ian Morris (Oscar Brennan 26), George Poynton, Keith Ward (Kaleem Simon 84), Paddy Kavanagh, Jamie Doyle, Dinny Corcoran.
Subs not used: Greg Murray, Stephen Best, Phillip Gannon,Dean Casey, Dylan Hayes.

Yellow Cards: Rob Cornwall (26), Lorcan Fitzgerald (90).
Red Cards: None
Referee: Anthony Buttimer
Attendance: 1756
Sporting Limerick Man of the Match: Shane Supple (Bohemians)