LEAGUE CUP/Semi-Final: A goal from Brian Donnellan after 75 minutes gave first division Limerick FC a sensational victory over Shamrock Rovers in a tension-packed League Cup semi-final played before a crowd of 1,000 in dreadful weather conditions at Jackman Park yesterday.
It was Limerick's third successive Premier Division scalp, having already disposed of Galway United and Cork City, both away from home.
There was no inferiority complex about the home side, as they went at Rovers with a tremendous work rate right from the start.
They had the better of the first half opportunities, with Pat Purcell, John Whyte and Brendan Hughes dominant around mid-field, and they peppered Tony O'Dowd's goal with shots.
Rovers were unable to create anything worthwhile and Limerick keeper, Jim Fyffe, had a quiet afternoon.
Urged on by their biggest support of the season, Limerick continued in the same vein on the change of ends, pegging Rovers deep into their own half and not allowing them to get any grip on the game.
The magical moment arrived just on 75 minutes when Eoin Poill raided down the flank and his cross fell to the in-rushing Donnellan, who volleyed to the net.
A stunned Rovers changed tactics, pushing more men forward in the hope of taking the match to extra time, but it was Limerick who nearly scored again with Shane O'Donoghue and Brendan Hughes hitting marginally wide.
Rovers had just one clear-cut opportunity when Shane Robinson crossed from the right, but the well-positioned Billy Woods failed to get power into his header. But Limerick were not to be denied and will not be overawed with the prospect of facing Derry City in the final.
A delighted Limerick manager, Noel O'Connor, said afterwards that the spur for them was a claim that Derry and Shamrock Rovers had already entered into negotiations to play the final over one leg rather than two.
LIMERICK FC: Fyffe, Poill, Browne, Finucane, Purcell, Whyte, O'Donoghue, Hughes, Foley, McCarthy, Donnellan. Sub: Molan for O'Donoghue.
SHAMROCK ROVERS: O'Dowd, Kavanagh, Byrne, Cauldwell, Palmer, Scully, Treacy, Cousins, Grant, Robinson, Woods. Subs: Grant for Kavanagh, Kenny for Cauldwell.
Referee: H Whorskey (Dublin)
