Limerick FC made their first visit to Fahy’s Field a winning one, as a strike in either half from Stephen O’Flynn saw Pat Scully’s side record their first away win of the season.
Limerick arrived at the Galway venue on the back of a defeat at home to Wexford, while the home team had defeated the same opposition two weeks ago in their last league game. Scully made three changes to his side and from the kick-off they look to take the game to Mervue.
Ger Hanley pulled off an excellent save after just two minutes as he got down low to turn a Pat Purcell header around the post for a corner kick after a good cross from the left by John Frost.
Limerick hit the front on 16 minutes when a Peter Hynes pass released his strike partner, O’Flynn into the box and he made no mistake with a low shot past Hanley and into the bottom corner for 1-0. Hynes then shot over the crossbar from a good central position ten minutes later as Limerick looked the more lively.
The home side’s first shot on target arrived on 31 minutes when captain Mike Tierney hit a well struck effort from just outside the box but former Galway United keeper, Barry Ryan, was well placed to save.
O’Flynn almost doubled his side advantage five minutes before the break as he blasted an effort over with just Hanley to beat. Rory Gaffney, who was being well marshalled by Purcell, finally got a sight on Ryan’s goal but his effort just cleared the visitor’s crossbar for the final action of the opening period.
O’Flynn did finally double his side’s advantage seven minutes after the break as Limerick went two clear. A ball from the right was not cleared as it dropped over Nicky Curran’s head for O’Flynn to run onto and he struck a beautiful effort into Hanley’s far corner giving the home keeper no chance.
Jeffrey Judge should have made it 3-0 on the hour mark when he found himself in the box with just Hanley to beat but he saw his shot just clear the post and wide. Winger Shane Tracy then tried his luck from 30 yards six minutes later with another well struck effort but it just dipped over the home crossbar.
After that the game fizzled out with both sides using all three substitutes and Limerick content to hold what they had as they collected their first three points on the road this season.
Mervue United: Ger Hanley, Nicky Curran, James Casserely (Dan Cunningham 46), Martin Conneely, Mike Elwood (Damien O’Rourke 46), Kevin Crehan, Noel Varley, Tom King, Rory Gaffney, Marc Ludden, Mike Tierney (Peter Dravins 74).
Subs not used: Eric Browne, Alex Lee, David O’Brien, TJ Forde.
Limerick FC: Barry Ryan, Corie Treacy, Brian McCarthy, Pat Purcell, John Frost, Jeffery Judge, Padraic Quinn (Garbhan Coughlan 78), Shane Tracy (David O’Leary 73), Peter Hynes, Stephen O’Flynn and Garvan Broughall (Peter White 69).
Subs not Used: Brian O’Callaghan, Steven McGann, Darren Coleman and David Ryan.
