Limerick 37  2 - 0  Wexford Youths

Shane Tracey 87(pen), 89(pen)

Friday 14^th March 2008

Limerick left fullback Shane Tracey held his nerve to fire home two dramatic late penalties to secure Limerick our first win of the season at Jackman Park.

Tracey netted his first from twelve yards in the 87th minute to send the home crowd into raptures after a Youths defender handled the ball on the line, and then converted another following an Anthony Rossiter handball two minutes later.

To compound the misery for the visitors, ex-Limerick player Conor Sinnott saw his injury time spot kick saved by keeper Dave Ryan diving to his left after Limerick were penalised for handball.

The Youths almost drew first blood, James Hayes flashing a low shot across the face of the goal, and the same player then drove a volley inches over from Sinnotts resulting corner.

Lims responded via ex-Arsenal youth ace Tracey, whose cross landed on the roof of the net, much to the relief of visiting keeper Jason Russell.

The visitors posed a threat late in the first half after a flying Paul Malone header from another Sinnott cross drifted just outside Dave Ryan's right post.

Lims, who played most of the football in the first half, almost edged ahead in the 43rd minute when Tracey's free kick shaved the outside of Russell's left upright.

And Limerick had the visitors on the back foot again in injury time, forcing two corners in a row after some nervy defending from the Youths.

Padraig Fogarty and the hard working Wayne Colbert went close for the Shannonsiders after the break but were denied by some fine saves from Russell.

After 80 minutes Dave Ryan came on up front and had a big impact on Limerick's push for the win and could well push for a starting place next week away to Sporting Fingal.

The Limerick defense was once again excellent on the night with Tommy Barrett and Paul Danagher excelling at the heart of the defense.

MOM: Tommy Barrett

Limerick 37: Ryan, Daly, Tracey, Danagher, Barrett, Fogarty, Colbert, L Barrett, Manjor (Ryan 80), Bruton, Hayes (Cosgrove 70)

Wexford Youths: Russell, A Russell, Hawkins, Rossiter, Lawlor, O'Loughlin, O'Connor, Sinnott, Malone (Wadding 81), Fitzgerald (Browne 89), Murphy (Doyle 60)

Referee: G Kelly (Cork)