Ardee teenager David Martin not only has the classical ginger-haired look of a certain 1970s super-sub, he delivers the goods as well as his first-half goal ended this first-round marathon to put Dundalk through to an FAI Cup second round meeting at Derry City.

In a tremendous second replay before one of Hogan Park's largest crowds in years, Dundalk's greater resolve and experience told at the finish with rousing performances from veteran Tom McNulty and Ray Campbell in midfield and Noel Melvin in defence the main difference.

Martin (18) punished a bad mistake by Limerick to give Dundalk the telling initiative just a minute before half-time, having replaced John Brennan 13 minutes earlier.

Limerick striker Paul Carr gave the ball away in midfield to David Ward who fed Martin. Ray O'Halloran did well to block the youngster's first shot, but the ball broke kindly for him again and he took one touch before drilling a shot past Eddie Hickey in the Limerick goal from about 14 yards.

Dundalk had exposed the Limerick defence for the first time just minutes earlier from a Campbell corner to the near post, but Ciaran Dunne's flick header was well gathered by Hickey.

In fairness, it was rough justice on Limerick to go in behind at the break as they had enjoyed much of the possession. But, in truth, they did precious little with it and ultimately paid the price.

Left winger Declan Considine was the main source of their attacks up the left but on the one occasion he did get in behind Dundalk after 21 minutes his cross to the back post wasn't finished off with Carr's header coming back off David Crawley.

Limerick threw everything at Dundalk in the second half, but the First Division side's problem all season of lacking a goal-scorer was again evident as Steve Williams scarcely had a save to make.

Kevin Brady did clear off the Dundalk line from Paddy Doyle while Gareth Ryan blazed the rebound over a gaping goal as a double chance went a-begging on the hour.

Limerick cries for a penalty went unanswered by Cork referee Tom Tully a minute later when Dunne certainly appeared to pull down Considine.

Ten minutes from time the hardworking Doyle got the slightest of touches with his head to a Bobby Ryan free-kick only to watch agonisingly as the ball came back off a post as Dundalk held out for a much needed filip to their troubled season.

A meeting of the FAI's appeals board yesterday decided to uphold an appeal by Declan Boyle, Finn Harps' central defender, against a two-match suspension, writes Peter Byrne.

The original ruling was made by the National League's disciplinary committee after Boyle had become embroiled in an incident with Robbie Deveraux at the end of the championship game against St Patrick's Athletic at Richmond Park on December 18th.

Both players were later shown the red card in the dressing-room but Boyle was adamant that he had not committed any offence.

Yesterday's decision means that the former Celtic player will be available for the games against Bray Wanderers next Saturday and Derry City on January 30th.

John Treacy, St Patrick's Athletic's assistant manager, who was also red-carded at the end of the controversial game, was markedly less successful in his appeal against suspension.

After considering the documentary evidence and a submission by Treacy, the board refused to overturn the ban which lasts until March 31st.

Meanwhile, the FAI has confirmed the appointment of Rita O'Reilly, who is from Clontarf in Dublin, as the new marketing manager for the National League. The former PMPA executive will take up the post at the start of February.

O'Reilly said she was confident that the league could be an attractive proposition for a variety of sponsors and that she was looking forward to the challenge of selling the game.