Limerick 4
Bray Wanders 1
A MASTERCLASS IN finishing from Rory Gaffney was too hot for Bray Wanderers to handle as the Blues recorded their second big win in a row at Thomond Park.
Bray Wanderers came into this game on the back of some terrible form and poor performances to match, while Limerick were full of confidence after thrashing Shamrock Rovers last Friday.
The first half hour didn’t play out like that, however. It was the Seagulls that were more incisive with the tricky David Cassidy operating just off Dave Scully.
It was the visitors who duly created the first opportunity of the game. After just two minutes, Adam Hanlon found space on the left and his cross found Dean Zambra in the middle of the box, but the virtually ever-present midfielder could only direct his header straight at Ryan.
Alan Mathews’ side hadn’t won a league game since May but looked full of confidence in the early stages and they should have taken the lead just before the half-hour mark.
Eric McGill lined up a free kick in a central location from about twenty yards. He struck it poorly but a wicked deflection directed it onto the post and, in turn, into Ryan’s arms. The veteran stopper beat Adam Mitchell in a foot race for the ball.
Right on cue, Limerick struck when Rory Gaffney put the Blues ahead in the 38th minute. Robbie Williams found space on the left hand side before drilling a cross towards the head of the Tuam native. Gaffney made no mistake in converting his second goal in as many games.
The turning point arrived on the hour mark. Despite their best efforts to get back into the tie, Wanderers were dealt a blow when David Scully was given his marching orders. Going down under the challenge of Sam Oji, the Bray forward was adjudged to have taken a tumble and was duly sent for an early shower having picked up a booking earlier in the game.
Limerick doubled their lead in the 70th minute through Lee-J Lynch. Rory Gaffney stole in down the right. He held up play and sent Lynch through. He took a touch before coolly slotting past McGuinness.
Bray gave the Blues a scare when Dean Zambra smashed home from close range – after Ryan couldn’t push Kelly’s free kick in to touch, but it was to prove a consolation.
Gaffney would go on to complete his hat trick. First, turning his marker before smashing home a powerful effort on 83 minutes, then tapping home Ian Turner’s assist in added time.
Limerick: Ryan; Nzuzi, Folan, Oji, Williams; Agyemang, Hughes; Djilali (O’Connor, 77), Lynch, Turner; Gaffney.
Subs not Used: Cusack, Leahy, Whitehead, Feeney, Mann, McManus.
Bray Wanderers: McGuinnness; Barker (Coombes, 85), Cooney, Mitchell, Gorman; Akinade, McGill (Kelly, 50), Zambra, Hanlon (Hughes, 52); Cassidy; Scully.
Subs not Used: Redmond, O’Connor, Maloney, McDonagh.
Referee: G Kelly (Cork).
