What a difference a few goals make in the Eircom League first division. In their second home game, the locals scored twice, as they did in the previous Jackman Park encounter against Wexford Youths.

This time, against Longford Town, they conceded their first goal in four games from normal play, and, but for penalties scored against them in their two 1-0 defeats, could be even higher in the table than at present.

The win against Longford was deserved and the margin might have been greater with a bit of luck as Willie Bruton and Darren Harrington both had chances in a Limerick-dominated second half.

Bruton’s first goal for the club came after only two minutes when his curling shot went in off the bottom of the woodwork.

It was also a first goal for the club by Pauric Fogarty who rounded off a move which he started, and involved Darren Harrington and Shane Treacy, before confusing two defenders on the goal line.

It was a generally impressive effort by Limerick with Mike Kerley using his three substitutions judiciously.

But I imagine that when training resumed this week greater attention was paid to defending corners and free kicks as the side was vulnerable to these and while only one goal was conceded following a free there were several close calls.

Limerick lined out: Ryan, Daly, Tracey, Danagher, Tommy Barrett, Liam Barrett, Colbert, Harrington, Hayes, Bruton, Fogarty. Subs used, Dave Ryan for Harrington, Peter White for Hayes, Ross Cosgrove for Bruton.

Limerick travel to Waterford this Friday and a draw would be a good result against a club with which Mike Kerley was previously associated.

For many years games between these two clubs in an era when there was only one division were major crowd pullers. This was  at a time when each club had a goalkeeper, two fullbacks, a centre-back, two halfbacks, an outside right, inside right, centre-forward, inside left and outside left, with wingers floating in crosses for the tall and bustling men in the middle. Oh for a return to those heady days instead of the modern day’s plethora of midfield combinations.

Only one of the five premier games scheduled for Sunday reached finality. Three pitches were unplayable and in the vital top of the table game Fairview Rangers, courtesy of a goal by Christy O’Neill, led Ballynanty Roverts when referee Trevor Hoare had to retire due to injury. This means the game will have to start again from scratch.

Janesboro United kept alive their bid to retain their title by beating Star Rovers 4-1. Alan Barry and Alan Carroll scored twice. Derek Hannon was on the mark for the losers.

‘Summer soccer’ is scheduled to resume this week and the four clubs leading the premier table are due to play this Thursday (weather permitting). Pike Rovers will be fancied to beat Aisling-Annacotty at Crossagalla but the big game was at Pearse Stadium, where the ‘Boro host Ballynanty who were two points behind their opponents but have five fewer games played. A win for Ballynanty could end the challenge of Janesboro.

Fairview will be fancied to beat Carew Park, while Regional United should win at home to Star and Wembley should leave Rathuard with the points against Granville Rangers.

In the Desmond League, one game was played in the premier division in which Old Mill beat Shanagolden in a high scoring affair, 5-3.

This was the second win in a row for Old Mill who have gone some distance towards preserving their top division status and are now four points clear of Shanagolden, who have a game more played, while Rathkeale and Kildimo United prop up the table.

Comments (0) »

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Title

Comment

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment