The start had to be delayed for 15 minutes, so great was the ovation that marked Limerick’s return to the Markets Field for the first time in 31 years.
It was a memorable occasion off the pitch but Limerick were unlucky losers with the two Drogheda goals going in off uprights in each half.
Michael Daly had the opening goal for the visitors when his header from a Seán Thornton free following a foul by Robbie Williams crept in off the post.
This sparked Limerick to life and they dominated for the remainder of the half.
Three minutes into the second half Paul O’Conor headed a superb goal against his former club.
Then came a goal for Drogheda against the run of play after 54 minutes, and again the effort went in via the woodwork to help Lee Duffy’s shot over the line.
LIMERICK FC: O'Donnell, Whitehead, Williams, Tracy, Hughes, Russell (Mann, 87 mins), Rainsford (Faherty, 72 mins) O'Conor, Duggan, Clarke, Hanlon (Turner, 72 mins). DROGHEDA UTD: Schlingermann, Hughes (Maher, 68 mins), Gorman, Daly, Byrne, Whelan, Thornton, O'Reilly, Brennan, Duffy (Mulvenna, 58 mins), Marks (Brady, 78 mins). Referee: P Tuite (Dublin).
