Longford Town  1 - 2  Limerick 37

Friday 23^rd May 2008

Limerick chalked up a second victory over their midland rivals this season.

After a sluggish opening, Limerick took control of the game in the 31st minute when Longford goalkeeper Neil Gallagher was at full stretch to deny the excellent Darren Harrington.

Longford, however, had the best chance of the opening half in the 42nd minute. Striker Darren McKenna was played in by Gary Murphy but he contrived to shoot narrowly wide with only keeper Dave Ryan in his way.

Limerick hit the front in the first minute of the second half. A calamitous mix-up in the home defence involving Gallagher and defender Ryan O'Donnell saw the ball break kindly for James Hayes and he had the simplest of tasks to fire Limerick ahead.

Longford were back on level terms in the 64th minute when Iarfhlaith Davoren's pass was superbly finished by midfielder Gary Murphy. Longford's Luke Hardy misjudged an attempted clearance and Willie Bruton benefited before being upended by keeper Gallagher.

Bruton converted from the spot as Gallagher was sent for an early shower by referee Stephen Grant.

A well deserved win for Limerick was well received by all the Limerick travelling support, which included Limerick's owner Jack McCarthy.

Longford Town: Gallagher; Bermingham (Lynch 63), O'Donnell, Frawley; Hardy, Rushe (Hussey 90), Murphy, Doyle, Casey (O'Riordan 11); McKenna, Davoren.

Limerick 37: Ryan; White, Danaher, Barrett, Cleary; Daly, Fogarty, Colbert (Bruton 51), Harrington (Ryan 75); Hayes, Manjor (McCarthy 86)