Limerick FC were relegated to the Airtricity League First Division as they suffered a 0-2 defeat against Finn Harps at the Markets Field. The Donegal outfit won the tie 0-3 on aggregate as they defeat Limerick in the play offs for the second time in three years.
Finn Harps started brightly and Mark Timlin was played through on goal but the former Derry City midfielder hit the post, much to the relief of the large Limerick support.
Limerick were unable to penetrate a solid Harps defensive unit led by captain Keith Cowan. Danny Morrissey latched onto a Cian Coleman header before outpacing Sam Todd and shooting wide.
The visitors still looked the more dangerous of the teams and Limerick clearly didn’t learn their lesson as a poor clearance fell to Gareth Harkin who played the ball to Timlin who dribbled past Shane Duggan before smashing the ball into the net as half time approached.
The home side had a mountain to climb in the second half and the tie was almost wrapped up when Timlin set up Mikey Place at the back post but the striker somehow skied the ball over the bar from 3 yards out.
Long serving Limerick player Shane Tracy smashed an effort at goal but Harps captain Keith Cowan diverted the ball wide for a corner.
Ollie Horgan’s men sealed promotion to the premier division when Nathan Boyle outpaced Shane Tracy before blasting the ball beyond Jack Brady.
The final ten minutes were played out at a pedestrian pace as the realisation of first division football dawned on the management team, players and supporters.
Limerick FC: Jack Brady, Shaun Kelly, Killian Cantwell, Killian Brouder, Shane Tracy, Cian Coleman (Karl O’Sullivan 75), Shane Duggan, Barry Maguire (Darren Murphy 58), , Billy Dennehy, Conor Ellis (Will Fitzgerald 58), Danny Morrissey
Limerick FC subs not used: Tommy Holland, Colman Kennedy, Colm Walsh-O’Loughlen, Adam Foley.
Finn Harps: Peter Burke, John Kavanagh, Jakob Borg, Keith Cowan, Sam Todd, Ciaran Coll, Gareth Harkin, Paddy McCourt (Niall Logue 20), Mark Timlin, Mikey Place, Nathan Boyle
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