Limerick 0-1 Cork City
CORK CITY KEPT their Premier Division title hopes alive thanks to a Rob Lehane strike at Thomond Park.
A game that produced very little in terms of clear-cut opportunities, City got the break they needed on 77 minutes when Lehane drifted into space and fired past Ryan into the far corner.
Limerick set the early pace by keeping possession well, but neither side could create much in the way of goal-scoring opportunities.
Billy Dennehy lit up this Munster derby halfway through the opening period when he went on a dazzling run. Picking the ball up fifty yards from goal, the tricky winger – operating more centrally on this occasion – beat a few Limerick challenges, then took a touch beyond the final Limerick defender.
Unfortunately for the massive traveling support, his touch was too heavy and Ryan was on hand to smother.
Rory Gaffney fired straight back only moments later. The in-form striker has ten league goals this season, and when he picked up the ball twenty yards from goal, expectation rose among the small home support. The Tuam native turned swiftly and powered an effort at McNulty but the veteran keeper was equal to his drive.
Billy Dennehy wasted the best chance of the game to that point – just ten minutes into the second half and he found himself unmarked just ten yards from goal. He couldn’t find the net though; Ryan dealt with his effort with minimal fuss.
Just after Mark O’Sullivan wasted a glorious chance with fifteen minutes to go, Rob Lehane got the goal that sent the massive City following into raptures.
Cork City move back within three points of league leaders Dundalk.
Limerick FC: Barry Ryan; Patrick Nzuzi, Stephen Folan, Mick Leahy, Shane O’Connor; Prince Agyemang, Shane Tracy (Ross Mann, 79); Kieran Djilali (Sam Oji, 79), Lee-J Lynch, Jack Doherty (Darragh Rainsford, 58); Rory Gaffney.
Subs not used: Shane Cusack, Val Feeney, Tam McManus, Colm Murphy.
Cork City: Mark McNulty; John Dunleavy, Michael McSweeney, Dan Murray, Ross Gaynor; Colin Healy, Gearoid Morrissey; Josh O’Shea (John Kavanagh, 82), Billy Dennehy (Dave O’Leary, 85), Liam Kearney (Rob Lehane, 59); Mark O’Sullivan.
Subs not used: Kevin O’Brien, Gavin Kavanagh, Cillian Morrison, Danny Morrissey.
Referee: D Tomney (Dublin)
