Limerick suffer poor defeat at the hands of resolute Finn Harps

Limerick endured a bitterly disappointing defeat at the Markets Field as Finn Harps won 0-2 courtesy of goals from Tommy McBride and Danny Morrissey. The gap between the teams is just one point and Limerick find themselves just three points ahead of Sligo, who occupy the final relegation place in the league table.

Limerick started brightly and a poor clearance from Finn Harps’ Ibrahim Keita fell straight to Bastien Hery who fired over the bar from the edge of the box. The Frenchman was fouled by Paddy McCourt while taking the shot. Rodrigo Tosi’s resultant free-kick was deflected wide for a corner which came to nothing for the home side.

Limerick continued their dominance and superb build up play ended in a Lee-J Lynch cross to the back post being beautifully controlled by Shane Duggan but the captain couldn’t direct his effort on goal.

Immediately afterwards, Limerick should have taken the lead. A perfectly waited through ball by Peter Berki fell to Lynch who was denied by a great save from Ciaran Gallagher when he looked certain to score.

A poor clearance from Harps centre-back Damien McNulty was intercepted by the lively Lynch, whose drilled effort was deflected wide of Gallagher’s right-hand post. From the resulting corner, Barry Cotter rose highest to flick the ball on and Peter Berki was quickest to react, but the Hungarian’s effort was cleared off the line.

Finn Harps took the lead totally against the run of play as poor defending on the left-hand side allowed Eddie Dsane to the byline and his low drive was parried by Brendan Clarke into the path of the waiting Tommy McBride who placed his shot into the empty net.

In injury-time of the first period, the home side were handed the perfect opportunity to level the scores when Berki was taken down by Killian Cantwell inside the area and Tomas Connolly awarded a penalty. The latter received a second yellow card and was duly sent off. However, Limerick’s top scorer Rodrigo Tosi blasted his penalty off the post and the whistle sounded immediately to end the first-half.

Rodrigo Tosi of Limerick FC watches as his penalty effort hits the post and rebounds clear. SSEAirtricity League Premier Division, Limerick FC V Finn Harps FC. 01/09/2017. Markets Field, Garryowen, Limerick. Credit: Conor Wyse

As the second half began, Finn Harps replaced Ibrahim Keita with the energetic Danny Morrissey as they attempted to catch Limerick on the break while defending from deep positions. Limerick introduced Stephen Kenny and Henry Cameron as they attempted to stretch Harps, while switching to a 3-5-2 formation.
Chiedozie Ogbene had the first chance of the second-half but he fired an effort over the crossbar.

The visitors were frustrating Limerick who failed to utilise the wide areas. Limerick were punished for a poor second half showing as Danny Morrissey pounced on a mix-up between Joe Crowe and Brendan Clarke to slot the ball into an empty net and double Finn Harps lead.

The home side failed to create a chance of note until the final five minutes when a Bastien Hery long range effort rattled the post. The Shannonsiders failed to test Gallagher as they tried a series of shots from distance but Ollie Horgan’s men defended heroically to deny Neil McDonald’s men.

Limerick FC: Brendan Clarke, Barry Cotter (Henry Cameron 50), Tony Whitehead, Joe Crowe, Dave O’Connor, Shane Duggan, Bastien Hery, Lee-J Lynch, Chiedozie Ogbene, Rodrigo Tosi (John O’Flynn 73), Peter Berki (Stephen Kenny 50)

Subs not used: Freddy Hall, Killian Brouder, Shane Tracy, Dean Clarke.
Yellow Cards: Barry Cotter (45+1), Henry Cameron (62)
Red Cards:

Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher, Ethan Boyle, Damien McNulty, Killian Cantwell, Ciaran Coll, Paddy McCourt (Johnny Bonner 81), Tommy McBride, Mark Timlin, Sean Houston, Eddie Dsane (Shane Blaney 87), Ibrahim Keita (Danny Morrissey 50).

Subs not used: Peter Burke, Shane Blaney, Liam Walsh, BJ Banda.
Yellow Cards: Killian Cantwell (34), Tommy McBride (45+1), Damien McNulty (48), Paddy McCourt (57), Eddie Dsane (66).
Red Cards: Killian Cantwell (45+1)

Referee: Tomas Connolly
Attendance: 1211
Sporting Limerick Man of the Match: Damien McNulty (Finn Harps)