Limerick 37  2 - 2  Monaghan United

Friday 9^th May 2008

Monaghan United struck a late equaliser to salvage a point at Jackman Park. Ian Maher's close range finish eleven minutes from time secured a share of the spoils for Mons at the Lower Careys Road venue.

Paul Whelan opened the scoring for the visitors in the 14th minute, poking home from eight yards after the Lim's defence failed to deal with Stephen McCrossan's free kick.

And the Mons nearly doubled their advantage seconds later but Flanagan's lob was clawed away by Jimmy Fyffe on the edge of his own area.

Limerick deservedly restored parity in the 17th minute after Tommy Barrett tapped home his 3rd goal of the season after a Paul Danaher header from a Brendan Daly free kick.

Derek McCarthy then went close with a 30-yard drive which Mons keeper Ronan McCann held at the second attempt.

Michael Kerley's side edged ahead in the 39th minute, and Barrett and Daly were again involved. Daly swung over a free kick from the right and Tommy Barrett saw his header saved by McCann before the excellent Wayne Colbert netted from inside the six yard box.

United were almost back on level terms straight from the kick-off after Maher's audacious lob from the half way line drifted inches over with Fyffe's scrambling back toward his goal line.

McCarthy had another shot on target just after the break but McGann was once again equal to the effort.

Maher then took advantage of some sleepy defending to blast home from inside the area in the 79th minute.

Limerick had obvious claims for a penalty waved aside three minutes from time after Ross Cosgrave's goalbound volley clearly hit Aaron Mooney on the hand.

Limerick 37: Fyffe, White, Cleary, Danaher, Barrett, Colbert, Fogarty, Daly, McCarthy, Bruton (Cosgrave 60), Ryan (Manjor 60)

Monaghan Utd: McGann, Whelan, Williamson, Byrne, Mooney, Tierney, Meenan, McCrossan, Lanigan (Hannaphy 85), Maher, Hand (Sheppard 58)

Ref: J McLoughlin (Westmeath)