Limerick 0 Sligo 0

Neither side could manage a goal but it was good entertainment for the 1,862 at sunkissed Thomond Park as Limerick battled hard for a draw that they deserved.

It was mainly thanks to goalkeeper Barry Ryan that the home side avoided defeat as he made a string of superb saves in a man of the match performance.

Yellow cards
Four Sligo players were shown yellow cards by referee Anthony Buttimer who also booked Limerick's Axel Bossekota who was replaced on the hour mark by Rory Gaffney. Sligo created most of the goal scoring chances but they failed to beat Ryan despite being awarded 13 corners compared to four for Limerick.

Limerick were happy to go in for the break on level terms and they could have been a couple of goals behind.

From the start Sligo came forward in waves and Anthony Elding had a chance after only two minutes. Following a corner a header by Gavin Peers looked like dipping in to the far corner but Ryan made a superb finger tip save to push the ball out.

Limerick came more into the game and in a break-away Axel Bossekota put the ball in the Sligo net but was yellow carded for a handball in the process of doing so.

Within 10 seconds of the resumption Elding was through with only Ryan to beat but again the Limerick goalkeeper made a terrific save. Limerick grew in confidence and a left footed effort by Danny Galbraith almost deceived Sligo goalkeeper Gary Rogers.

Limerick's Patrick Nzuzi celebrated his call-up to the Republic of Congo's Under-23 side with a splendid performance while Elding and Cretaro were best for Sligo.
LIMERICK FC: Ryan, Kelly, Folan, Nzuzi, O'Callaghan, Gamble, Galbraith, Bradley, O'Leary (Rainsford 86), Tracey, Bossekota (Gaffney (60).
SLIGO ROVERS: Rogers, Keane, Henderson, Gaynor, Peers, Cretaro (Martin 90), Cawley (Ventre 83), Lynch (Djilali 69), Ndo, Greene, Elding.
Referee: A Buttimer.