Limerick too good for Harps

Added: 29-06-2012 18:55:47

Limerick FC 3 Finn Harps 0

Limerick kept up their pursuit of league honours when they overcame Finn Harps at Jackman Park this evening. Harps started brightly and the returning Kevin McHugh and Shaun McGowan both had chances in the first ten minutes. But Pat Scully's title chasing side started to stamp their authority on matters soon after and Denis Behan tested Harps keeper Ciaran Gallagher with a good effort. The bulky striker wasn't to be denied however and he broke the deadlock on 30 mins - slotting the ball past a static Gallagher. The scoreline remained the same until the break with Harps heading into the second period with plenty to play for.

However the shannonsiders dominated after the resumpsion and created chances through Bradley, Behan and O'Leary before Harps were dealt a double blow with twenty minutes remaining. First of all Shaun McGowan recieved his marching orders from referee Sean Grant before Grant awarded Limerick a spot kick, which was converted by Shane Tracey as the points were secured. The game was a non-event thereafter and Limerick increased their lead in injury time as Gaffney fired past Gallagher to leave the final score 3-0. Despite the late goal, the Limerick fans left the ground in silence as news filtered through that Longford Town had staged a remarkable fightback to defeat Mervue by five goals to four and remain ahead of Limerick in the race for the title.

Finn Harps face Mervue next weekend.

FT - Limerick FC 3 Finn Harps 0
90 Mins - GOAL ! Gaffeny gets his goal and Limerick seal the win in injury time - but so do Longford who win 5-4 !!!
88 Mins - Gaffney tries his luck after a mazy run - the home crowd are now more anxious about Mervue holding on against Longford and its now 4-4 !!
76 Mins - McGowan enters the refs book now as Shane McGinty comes on
72 Mins - GOAL! Shane Tracey with a spot kick for Limerick - damage limitation for Harps
71 MIns - Thomas McBride gets his marching orders, going to be very tough now for Harps
64 Mins - Keith Cowen is the third Harps man to go into the book
62 Mins - Harps sub - Doherty on for McMonagle
60 Mins - Harps under the cosh - Behan goes close to adding to his tally
50 Mins - Stephen Bradley nearly increase the lead for Limerick - Harps let off the hook
45 Mins - HT and it's Limerick that lead - Harps started well but Limerick came back into the game and dominated
43 Mins - A famous name - Dave O'Leary is playting well for Limerick, meanwhile Kevin McHugh goes into the refs notebook
30 Mins - GOAL ! Denis Behan opens the scoring for Limerick
20 Min - McMonagle is booked for Harps
15 Min - Ex Cork striker Brendan Behan goes close fo Limerick - Gallagher saves well
12 Min - Good start by Harps - McGowan nearly opens the scoring - can they keep this up
10 Min - McHugh into action straight away but he blazes over
1 Min - Poor crowd at the moment, surprised seeing as its a vital game for Limerick, the good news is that Kevin McHugh returns to action

Team Lineup Ciaran ,Ciaran Coll, Keith Cowan,Thomas McMonagle,Paul McVeigh,Aaron O'Hagan,Thomas Bonner,Thomas McBride,Shaun McGowan,Kevin McHugh,Gary Merritt, Subs:Adam Clarke,James Doherty,Matt Harkin,Rory Kelly,Shane McGinty