Gary Sheehan again proved Dundalk’s nemesis as he shot Limerick to a 1-0 win at Oriel Park on Thursday night as the Lilywhites’ 100 percent record in 2011 and Ian Foster’s 10-match unbeaten pre-season run as manager came to an end. The pacey striker, who scored a brace when Limerick won 2-0 at the venue in June 2008 before the County Louth club eventually went on to win the First Division title and promotion back to the top flight, struck midway through the half to down Dundalk, in a typical pre-season outing. Paul Murphy replaced Peter Cherrie between the sticks for the game and he was called upon in the first half when he pulled off a superb save from Jeffrey Judge, before Barry Ryan denied Marc Griffin after the break. But there was no stopping Sheehan’s strike, which the hosts almost cancelled out two minutes from time only for substitute Daniel Kearns to see his powerful left-footed shot pushed away by Ryan.
Four changes
Foster made four changes to the side that started the epic 5-3 win over Linfield in the Setanta Sports Cup on Monday night, with Murphy, Michael Hector, Stephen Maher and Griffin coming in to replace Cherrie, Dean Bennett, Keith Ward and hat-trick hero from Belfast, Kearns. Mark Quigley, who scored a superb double in the Windsor Park victory, took up station on the right, with Griffin gaining his second start under Foster. Simon Madden again carried the captain’s armband, although an official announcement on the permanent captain for 2011 has yet to be made. The game opened in typical pre-season fashion, with few free-flowing passages or clear-cut chances in the opening exchanges. The first real shot on goal came on the quarter-hour mark when, following a foul by Greg Bolger, Limerick midfielder David O’Leary curled a free-kick just over Paul Murphy’s top right-hand corner.
Judge denied
Limerick threatened again on 17 minutes when Garbhan Coughlan found space on the right side of the box but he shot wide of the far corner, with the visitors shooting towards the Carrick End in the opening half. Ten minutes later and Murphy denied the Shannonsiders what looked a likely lead. Ex-Lilywhite Peter Hynes played in Judge, but the youngster, who is part of the Republic of Ireland U21 home-based squad along with Kearns, saw his effort brilliantly saved by the hosts’ ‘keeper before the covering defence cleared. Moments later, the returning Maher, who was making his first start since playing Bohemians in the final game of last season, mis-cued when well placed inside the area. Past the half-hour mark and Dundalk threatened again, this time Quigley working his magic down the left and crossing for Jason Byrne at the back post. His goal-bound header appeared to be put behind by a Limerick hand, but the referee waved away the shouts, with the resulting Ross Gaynor corner claimed by visiting ‘keeper Ryan.
Griffin chance
Quigley, having switched wings with Gaynor, again did well on the left flank on 38 minutes but from the attack Byrne’s shot was blocked on the edge of the area and the danger was eventually cleared. Nathan Murphy was then forced to clear a cross behind, but Sheehan’s corner was headed harmlessly behind. Close to the break, Sheehan carried much more threat when he raided forward and fired a 20-yard drive inches wide of Murphy’s right-hand post. That was the last chance of the half, and at the break Foster decided on two changes as Bennett and Ward replaced Maher and Gaynor. The second half started slowly, with an early long-range effort from Hector not threatening Ryan. On 53 minutes, the ball sat up invitingly for Ward who struck a 20-yard half-volley which Ryan held. On the hour-mark, Dundalk created a good opening when Byrne played in Griffin on the right side of the box and after weaving his way past the Limerick defence he saw a powerful effort pushed behind.
Sheehan shot
That was Griffin’s and Byrne’s last contribution as they were replaced by Johnny Breen and ‘Man of the Moment’ Kearns. Dundalk were holding most of the possession in the second half but the visitors threatened on 63 minutes when Sheehan shot from the left edge of the box but his attempted curl to the far gathered was gathered by Murphy. Sheehan, however, did break the deadlock five minutes later when he broke the offside trap and outpaced the Dundalk defence and Hector, breaking in on the right side of the area before shooting to the far bottom corner. On 74 minutes, Kearns had a shot blocked wide as Dundalk searched for an equaliser. Four minutes later and Dundalk again attacked, Madden doing well down the right to force a corner. Bolger’s initial delivery was cleared but the home side fed the ball back out to the former UCD midfielder whose pinpoint cross was met in the six-yard box by Bennett who headed over under pressure. On 88 minutes came the best chance of an equaliser when Ward fed Kearns a quick corner and the star winger broke into the box from the right, powering a left-footed shot goalwards which Ryan did well to push away, with Hector, off balance, hooking the loose ball over.
DUNDALK FC (4-4-2): Paul Murphy; Simon Madden ©, Colin Hawkins, Michael Hector, Nathan Murphy; Mark Quigley, Greg Bolger, Stephen Maher (Dean Bennett HT), Ross Gaynor (Keith Ward HT); Marc Griffin (Daniel Kearns 62), Jason Byrne (Johnny Breen 62).
Booked: None.
Unused Subs: Peter Cherrie (GK).
LIMERICK FC (4-2-3-1): Barry Ryan; Garbhan Broughan, Pat Purcell, Brian McCarthy, John Frost; Jeffrey Judge (Alex Scully 89), David O’Leary (Darren Coleman 69); Garbhan Coughlan (Chris Breen 62), Gary Sheehan (Andrew Bandarkar 75), Paudie Quinn (Brian O’Callaghan 77); Peter Hynes (Stephen O’Flynn 65).
Goal: Gary Sheehan (68).
Booked: None.
Unused Subs: Shane Cusack (GK).
Referee: Derek Tomney (Dublin).
