Limerick FC were given a huge boost in the relegation battle on Saturday night when they overcame a resilient Bohemians side at the Markets Field.
Manager Neil McDonald made two changes to the team that lost to Shamrock Rovers four days earlier as Stephen Kenny and Rodrigo Tosi came into replace Dean Clarke and Shane Duggan, with the Brazilian partnering Peter Berki up front. Brendan Clarke skippered the team.
The Blues should have been ahead after five minutes as Stephen Kenny’s ball over the top was met by Chiedozie Ogbene, who forced a good save from Bohemians’ keeper Shane Supple.
Limerick were awarded a penalty in the ninth minute after Rodrigo Tosi was brought down inside the box by Rob Cornwall. The Brazilian converted from the spot and almost added to his tally on the quarter hour beating everyone except for the keeper.
Bohemians were slow to get into the flow of the game but were given a lifeline just before half-time as they were awarded a penalty after Joe Crowe fouled inside the box. Georgie Poynton, who scored the last penalty he took against Cork, was denied by a brilliant save from Limerick’s Brendan Clarke.
Bohs should have been level after the break as Keith Ward’s corner was nodded on by Cornwall to Ciarán O’Connor who headed over from two yards out. O’Connor would get a chance at redemption not too long after, getting in on goal only to be stopped by a wonderful last ditch tackle from Barry Cotter.
Limerick were still dangerous on the break with Ogbene, but he was wasteful with his opportunities. The Shannonsiders saw the game out all the way to minute 96 and picked up a vital 1-0 win against Bohemians.
Limerick: Brendan Clarke ©, Barry Cotter, Joe Crowe, Tony Whitehead, David O’Connor, Stephen Kenny (Dean Clarke 63), Bastien Héry, Lee-J Lynch, Chiedozie Ogbene, Rodrigo Tosi, Peter Berki (Garbhán Coughlan 67). Goal: R Tosi (10 pen). Booked: J Crowe (38), D O’Connor (64). Unused Subs: Tommy Holland (GK), Shane Duggan, Shane Tracy, Killian Brouder, Henry Cameron.
Bohemians: Shane Supple, Dan Casey (Dylan Hayes 77), Warren O’Hora, Derek Pender ©, Georgie Poynton (Keith Dalton 84), Fuad Sule, Ian Morris, Keith Ward, Ismahil Akinade, Ciarán O’Connor (Lorcan Fitzgerald 66). Booked: R Cornwall (9), I Morris (54), W O’Hora (80). Unused Subs: Colin McCabe (GK), Stephen Donnelly, Philly Gorman, Eoghan Morgan.
Referee: Jim McKell. Attendance: 994 (Official).
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