Sport

Limerick make a splash

Remarkable that it was ever played at all, such were the atrocious conditions of driving wind and rain, this game was thrilling…

Mon Nov 06 2000 - 00:00

Remarkable that it was ever played at all, such were the atrocious conditions of driving wind and rain, this game was thrilling nonetheless, as First Division Limerick showed plenty of ability and tenacious resolve at John Hyland Park, Baldonnel, to book their place in the semi-finals of the National League Cup.

Both sides swapped early chances, with Rovers goalkeeper Robbie Horgan tested by David Dunphy, and Tommy Dunne's wind-assisted free kick hitting the bar at the other end, before the action arrived in earnest with three quick goals from the 14th minute.

The first came from a Jason Purcell corner which found Paul Harmon unmarked on the edge of the area. He scuffed his shot, but the ball broke kindly for Derek McCarthy to score.

Another long range free kick from Dunne brought Rovers' equaliser, Tony Grant's glancing header flying past reserve goalkeeper Ger O'Connor.

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McCarthy, though, had Limerick back in front literally from the kick-off, when he found himself through on goal and again finished with aplomb.

McCarthy's clever back-heel then created Limerick's third on 23 minutes, Brendan Hughes somehow scoring with a weak shot from just inside the area.

Limerick captain Purcell made it 4-1 on 52 minutes when punishing a mistake by Rovers' defender Pat Deans.

Rovers pulled a goal back 13 minutes later when Tony Cousins forced the ball home in a right scramble following a Marc Kenny corner, but Albert Finnin quickly restored Limerick's three-goal margin with a deflected shot from 30 yards. Rovers hit back when Sean Francis tapped home following a Kenny cross from the right 13 minutes from time, but the day belonged to Tommy Lynch's in-form Limerick who now hope for a home draw in the semi-finals.

Shamrock Rovers: Horgan; Smith, Deans, Cronin, Dunne; Vaudequin, Robinson, Tracey, Byrne; Cousins, Grant. Subs: Francis for Grant (half-time), Palmer and Kenny for Deans and Byrne (both 62).

Limerick FC: O'Connor; Dunphy, O'Halloran, D Whyte, Finnin; Keating, Purcell, J Whyte, Hughes, Harmon; McCarthy. Subs: Lynch for D Whyte (66), Weldrick for Harmon (79), Flaherty for Keating (84).

Referee: J O'Neill (Waterford).