Longford Town  1 - 2  Limerick 37

Saturday 11th October 2008

Limerick 37 came from behind to beat Longford Town in the League of Ireland First Division clash at Flancare Park on Saturday night watched by a sparse attendance in the region of 200.

The visitors had the better of the early exchanges but it was the home side who broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute when Alan Lynch kept his composure in weaving his way past a couple of opposing defenders before slotting home the opening goal. However, Limerick 37 snatched the equaliser when a free-kick by Tommy Barrett was blocked down and the same player found the back of the net from the rebound as his shot deflected in off the post in the 29th minute with Town keeper Neil Gallagher stranded.

Showing the greater urgency, Limerick 37 gradually got on top as the second half progressed and the matchwinner materialised in the 72nd minute with substitute Chukunla Manjor bang on target from close range after connecting with a right wing cross from Wayne Colbert that split the slack Longford defence wide open.

While it was no more than Limerick deserved they almost let victory slip from their grasp in a tense finish when central defender Paul Danaher came to the rescue in blocking down a point-blank shot from Longford winger Jason Oladele who was poised to fire home the equaliser in the 88th minute.

Moments later, the Town went close again when Nathan Weiss had his effort deflected over the bar in a goalmouth scramble and while Limerick held out for the win the game ended on a sour note for them when substitute Brendan Daly, brought on in the 90th minute, was branded with a straight red card following a wild challenge in the second minute of stoppage time.

LONGFORD TOWN: Gallagher, Hardy, O'Riordan, Frawley, Bermingham, Harte, Doyle, Murphy, McKenna, Lynch, Oladele.
Subs:- Rushe for Doyle (62 mins); Douglas for Lynch (69 mins); Weiss for O'Riordan (74 mins).

LIMERICK 37: Dave Ryan; White, Cleary, Danagher, Purcell, Barrett, Colbert, David Ryan, Walsh, Tierney, Sheehan.
Subs:- Manjor for Sheehan (63 mins); Lyons for David Ryan (82 mins); Daly for Colbert (90 mins).

Referee: S Grant (Wexford).