Not for many seasons has there been such a dramatic end to a game involving a Limerick side in the League of Ireland as that at Jackman Park last Friday.

Just when it seemed that Mike Kerley’s side was going to complete 180 minutes without scoring, it all changed inside the last seven minutes, when three penalties were awarded by Cork referee, Graham Kelly.

Limerick 37 ‘s Willie Bruton in action against Wexford Youths last Friday in Jackman Park.Picture: Keith Wiseman

Two of the spots fell to Limerick and youthful defender, Shane Treacy stepped up to take both. On each occasion he beat Jason Russell in the Wexford Youths goal.

Russell had earlier denied Wayne Colbert and Padraic Fogarty, while Dave Ryan made a number of timely interventions especially early on, to foil the visitors.

Limerick had enough chances to have scored much earlier, the biggest miss being that by Tommy Barrett who failed to tap in when on the Wexford goal line, following a corner floated in by Liam Barrett.

Limerick lined out: Dave Ryan, Brendan Daly, Shane Treacy, Paul Danaher, Tommy Barrett, Paraic Fogarty, Wayne Colbert, Liam Barrett, Chumka Manjor, Willie Bruton, James Hayes. Replacements, Ross Cosgrave for Hayes, Dave Ryan for Manjor.

Limerick will be on the road this week when they face newcomers, Sporting Fingal, this Friday. The Dubliners surprised Athlone when winning 2-0 last weekend and Limerick will have to capitalize on their opportunites if they are to be successful, with a major game against Longford Town to follow at Jackman Park on Friday 28.

The Aidan Ryan-managed side carved out a hard-earned win against the Tipperary League when making it into the last eight by virtue of a 2-1 win.

Tommy Heffernan of Kilmallock scored both goals for Limerick, who had to withstand tremendous late pressure from Tipperary, who pulled a goal back before the interval.

Last season, Limerick and the Desmond League both qualified for the last eight and met in the quarter-final. No doubt they will be hoping to avoid each other when the draw is made this time round.