Gaffney goal secures victory

LIMERICK FC recorded a 1-0 win over Shelbourne in their final home game of the season at Thomond Park on Wednesday night, a result that leaves the Drumcondra club on the brink of relegation. Rory Gaffney’s goal on 28 minutes was all that separated the sides in a lively affair, with Shels left to rue a series of missed chances.

The home side made the brighter start, with both Shaun Kelly and Gaffney providing dangerous crosses early on, although neither resulted in a goal threat. At the other end, Barry Ryan had to be sharp as ever to deny Dylan Connolly after a stupendous flick from Adam Hanlon played in the Shelbourne midfielder.

The fans made their own entertainment with considerable banter exchanged between both sets of supporters, in addition to one spectator briefly providing a running commentary via megaphone.

The deadlock was broken in the 28th minute when Carel Tiofack’s corner was turned into the net by Gaffney, who finished in style to notch up his ninth goal of the season. Shelbourne had offered little up to that point but in the closing stages of the first half they battered the home team’s goal.

In the 32nd minute Dean Kelly ran onto a Stephen Sheerin through ball, but Ryan was quick off his line to clear the danger. Then a Shels free kick from the right fell to Graham Gartland, who skewed his shot over from five yards, although referee Alan Kelly awarded a corner.

Straight after that opening, Dean Kelly bore down on goal again, with Ryan getting down low to tip out the Shelbourne striker’s shot for a corner, and on 42 minutes Hanlon crossed into Sheerin, who somehow missed from point blank range. Limerick survived the onslaught to retain their lead going into the half-time interval.

There was another let-off for the home side eight minutes after the break when Dean Kelly looked poised to score from Derek Doyle’s cross, but he failed to find the target. Limerick netminder Ryan was being kept busy, stopping a close-range header from a Shels corner and denying Hanlon after he surged into the penalty area.

Kieran Hanlon was brought on for his Limerick FC debut midway through the second half and he found himself in a good position from a Tiofack pass, turning well before firing narrowly wide. Shelbourne’s travelling support grew increasingly restless as the final whistle drew nearer and their groans were quite audible when, with 10 minutes remaining, Dean Kelly fired over from six yards, compounding a miserable night for the striker.

The visitors threatened once more from a late corner but they were left licking their wounds after a night when they passed up several gilt-edged scoring chances. They may also have kissed goodbye to their hopes of Premier Division survival, as they now need a win against UCD while hoping Bray Wanderers are defeated on the final day.

For Limerick, the victory made it three consecutive home wins and a fourth home clean sheet in a row. They bounced back quickly from the weekend’s defeat in Bray to pick up a fourth win in their last six and break the 40-point barrier.

After the match, fans were invited to the Thomond Suite, where chairman Pat O’Sullivan and manager Stuart Taylor thanked them for their support throughout a successful return season to the top flight.

The club also announced the 2013 Player and Young Player of the Year awards, which were selected by a panel of Limerick sports journalists. Barry Ryan was voted Player of the Year, with Stephen Folan collecting the Young Player of the Year prize.

Limerick FC: Ryan, S Kelly, Whitehead, O’Callaghan (Williams 56), Murphy (McGrath 75), Bradley, Hughes, Nzuzi, Tiofack, Gaffney, Sheedy (Hanlon 69).

Shelbourne: Murphy, Flynn, Gartland (Ryan 52), Andrews, Cornwall, Hurley, Hanlon, Sheerin (Gannon 57), Connolly, Doyle (Murtagh 69), Kelly.

Referee: Alan Kelly (Cork)

Attendance: 1,584