Limerick FC  1 - 1  Finn Harps

Limerick FC Scorers: John Tierney (12)

Finn Harps Scorers: David mcDaid (37)

Friday 8^th May 2009

In what ended up being Paul Hegarty's last game in charge of the club, Finn Harps survived some late scares to get a share of the points against Limerick at Jackman Park on Friday night. Hegarty parted company with the club yesterday morning after two-an-a-half years at the helm, and he would have been reasonably content with what he saw on Friday.

On the other hand, Limerick manager, Pat Scully was sent from the line in the closing quarter for over-stating his frustration at some of the tackling of the Harps players.

Scully had surprised the 371-strong crowd by electing to play with only one up front (John Tierney) and pack the midfield. That tactic worked a treat however and for the opening 20 minutes Limerick tore Finn Harps asunder. Limerick won a corner inside the opening 39 seconds and although they didn't profit from that opportunity some neat play in the final third of the field suggested an evening rich in footballing entertainment.

The Super Blues took the lead in the 13th minute off the back of a superb three-man move. Nothing looked on when Jason Hughes gathered the ball in midfield, but the teenager had other ideas. Hughes swept the ball in behind the Finn Harps defence, a pass perfectly weighted for Paul Walsh to collect. The winger then skipped inside his man and fired a low cross toward John Tierney who finished off a cracking move.

Limerick created two more terrific attacking moves, which were incorrectly flagged offside, before Harps enjoyed an opportunity of their own in the 23rd minute, but Sean Houston lashed his effort high and wide of Dave Ryan's goal. With a bit of luck Limerick would have extended their lead in the 36th minute, but Pat Purcell's header, after the centre-half connected with Martin Deady's superb corner, flew narrowly over Ciaran Gallagher's crossbar.

Within seconds Limerick suffered a cruel sucker punch when Finn Harps charged up field, Christie Connaghan slipped a ball in behind the Super Blues' back four and David McDaid nipped in for a completely undeserved equaliser. That goal appeared to affect Limerick's confidence, but they continued to dominate the game and were misfortunate not to score a second in the 57th minute. Shane Tracy released Martin Deady with a terrific ball down the left flank, but, somehow, 'keeper Ciaran Gallagher recovered to flick the ball off the head of Paul Walsh.

Four minutes later seasoned soccer fans clicked their tongues and knew that Limerick's luck had completely run out. The bad omen occurred in the 61st minute when Ciaran Gallagher pushed Shane Tracy's free kick onto a post and Pat Purcell failed to force the ball over the line from inside the six-yard box – it just wasn't Limerick's night.

In the 68th minute Finn Harps came close to grabbing a winner, but Sean Houston sliced badly wide with Dave Ryan's goal at his mercy. Two minutes later, after a horrible challenge on Thomas Lyons, Pat Scully was sent off for vehemently protesting about the behaviour of the Finn Harps players – incredibly only five of the opposition finished this game with bookings.

Limerick endured even more frustration in the 85th minute when, following consternation in the Finn Harps area following Martin Deady's free kick, Tommy Barrett failed to belt home the winner from a mere seven yards.

If you thought that was bad it got even worse in the 90th minute. Martin Deady swung in another free kick which inspired panic in the Finn Harps defence, Ciaran Gallagher did well to save Paul Cummins' half-volley, but the 'keeper spilled the ball and a combination of Jamie Wunsch and Pat Purcell scrambled the ball over the line for a legitimate goal. Incredibly referee Brendan Kelly ruled that strike out for a 'foul' on Ian Rossiter.

Limerick FC: Dave Ryan, Brendan Daly, Martin Deady, Paul Danaher, Pat Purcell, Tommy Barrett, Paul Walsh, Jason Hughes, John Tierney, Thomas Lyons, Shane Tracy.
Subs: Jamie Wunsch for Paul Danaher, Colin Scanlan for Jason Hughes, Paul Cummins for Thomas Lyons.

Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher, Ian Rossiter, Ciaran Coll, Shaun McGowan, Patrick Mailey, Patrick Bonner, Christie Connaghan, Sean Houston, David McDaid, Mark Forker, Mark Brolly.
Subs: Ruairi Harkin for Mark Brolly, Marc Mukendi for Patrick Bonner.

Referee: Mr Brendan Kelly (Offaly)