Sligo dominant as Limerick’s good run comes to an end at the Showgrounds.

A poor showing from the Superblues away at the Showgrounds last evening resulted in a disappointing 3-0 defeat which eases Sligo’s relegation worries.

Limerick were lacklustre from the off while Sligo made a flying start to the game and scored with their first effort on goal. Michael Leahy leapt highest to meet John Russell’s free kick and Raffaele Cretaro fired the ball home after just two minutes.

Sligo were hungrier and doubled their lead shortly afterwards as a long ball was not dealt with by the Limerick defence, and Cretaro turned provider for Jonah Ayunga who finished well to the back of the net.

Limerick simply couldn’t get a foothold or make an impression on affairs. Going into the second half 2-0 down, Willie Boland’s charged needed a good start to the second period.

It wasn’t to be as Sligo’s Liam Martin dragged a low cross across the box which wasn’t cleared, and Sadlier ghosted in at the far post to tuck the ball away to make it 3-0 after 47 mins.

Sligo took total control of the game, not giving Limerick a chance and ran out easy 3-0 winners which will no doubt have impressed new manager Gerard Lyttle, who has his first win at the helm of Sligo Rovers.

The defeat ended Limerick FC’s five-game unbeaten run in the top flight.

Limerick remain in fifth in the Premier Division table, having spurned a great opportunity to capitalise on Dundalk’s recent mishaps, but perhaps more worryingly, the Blues are just five points off old foes Finn Harps in the relegation places.

It is expected that a full time successor to interim boss Willie Boland will be announced soon which will end weeks of speculation and uncertainty following the departure of Martin Russell.

That can only be a positive thing for the club going forward and while the 3-0 reversal last evening was disappointing, Limerick have shown plenty promise over the last few weeks to suggest that there is a lot more in this team.

Now attention will turn to the visit of Derry City to the Markets Field next Saturday evening.

SLIGO ROVERS: Micheal Schlingermann; Tobi Adebayo-Rowling, Mick Leahy, Kyle Callan-McFadden, Regan Donelon; John Russell, Gary Boylan; Liam Martin, Kieran Sadlier (Mikey Place, 88), Raffaele Cretaro (Craig Roddan, 77) ; Jonah Ayunga (Matthew Stevens, 86).

LIMERICK FC: Brendan Clarke; Shaun Kelly, Tony Whitehead, Robbie Williams, Tommy Robson; Paul O’Conor (Bastien Hery, 63), Shane Duggan; Dean Clarke (John O’Flynn, 46), Lee-J Lynch (Chris Mulhall, 80), Chiedozie Ogbene; Rodrigo Tosi.

REFEREE: Damien McGrath.