Limerick FC came out on top in a hard fought battle with Cobh Wanderers in the FAI Cup on Friday evening at St. Colman’s Park. Wanderers began the more composed of the two teams and had two early efforts on goal from Nathan O’ Connell and Jason Abb
Limerick FC came out on top in a hard fought battle with Cobh Wanderers in the FAI Cup on Friday evening at St. Colman’s Park.
Wanderers began the more composed of the two teams and had two early efforts on goal from Nathan O’ Connell and Jason Abbott.
The heavy rain made conditions difficult for both sides but it was Wanderers who continued to threaten, Abbott going close again with a half volley in the 16th minute.
A mix up between Tomas O’ Connor and keeper Jack Brady gave Wanderers an indirect free kick from a pass back but O’ Connell’s shot was straight at Brady.
It was the home side that continued to impress and a terrific through ball behind the defence by O’ Connell found Cal Sheehy but the strikers low shot was saved by the legs of Brady.
Wanderers continued to press in the early stages of the second half. Sheehy’s deflected shot had Brady scrambling back to his goalmouth but fortunately for the visitors it landed on the roof of the net.
The game now began to open up and Limerick slowly began to impose themselves. O’ Connor missed an opportunity from a Murphy corner before Foley blazed over from distance.
To their credit, Wanderers kept searching for the opener and it should have come in the 73rd minute but George Keating shot over when he had space and time inside the box.
The home side were left to rue that miss as the Limerick found the opener with ten minutes remaining. An excellent run by Karl O’ Sullivan got him to the byline and he cut it back for Edmond O’ Dwyer to smash it home and finally break Wanderers resistance.
Cobh Wanderers will be proud of their performance but in the end it was the First Division side that held out and took their place in round two.
