Gaffney hat-trick guides Limerick FC to resounding victory

RORY Gaffney struck a hat-trick for Limerick FC as the Super Blues won 4-1 for the second time in a week, following up last Friday’s thrashing of Shamrock Rovers with a comprehensive win over 10-man Bray Wanderers at Thomond Park. There was also a first Limerick goal for Lee J Lynch, with Dean Zambra netting to deny Barry Ryan a clean sheet.

Bray created the first opening inside the first couple of minutes when Adam Hanlon crossed to Zambra, whose close-range header was saved by Ryan.

With the Super Blues struggling to replicate the mesmerising first half performance of six days earlier, Bray forced a series of corners and perhaps ought to have taken the lead on 14 minutes when, from such a set piece, Adam Mitchell headed over from eight yards out.

The Seagulls were almost in front after 26 minutes when Eric McGill’s free kick took a heavy deflection and bounced off the post. Ryan managed to save it with his feet and keep it in his possession under pressure from the incoming Mitchell. A minute later, Ian Turner floated an inviting cross to Gaffney but the Limerick striker couldn’t get his head to it.

Eight minutes before half-time, Robbie Williams sent in a fantastic cross to Gaffney and this time the Galwegian made no mistake, heading to the Bray net from six yards.

The visitors attempted to catch Limerick napping in the dying stages of the first half and, on 41 minutes, David Cassidy’s free kick was headed clear, but only to the feet of Zambra. Fortunately for the hosts, his shot whacked off Akinade and the chance was gone for Bray.

Limerick began the second half positively and gave the Bray defence plenty to think about, with Stephen McGuinness forced into a reaction save to keep out Gaffney’s 55th-minute header.

Just before the hour mark, David Scully tumbled in the Limerick penalty area under Sammy Oji’s challenge. Bray screamed for a penalty, but referee Graham Kelly was unimpressed and instead showed the Seagulls striker a second yellow card for simulation.

In the 69th minute Gaffney turned provider for Lynch, who took possession inside the Bray area and jinked past two defenders before finishing coolly to the net to double Limerick’s lead.

Alan Mathews’ side responded, though, within two minutes. Substitute Graham Kelly lashed a free kick from 25 yards that was too hot for Ryan to handle and Zambra was on hand to smash home the loose ball.

The concession of that goal so soon after going 2-0 up could have made the home side nervous, but instead they regained their composure to make their superior manpower tell emphatically.

Gaffney hammered a low shot to the right of the stationary McGuinness on 82 minutes to restore Limerick’s two-goal lead and the striker completed his hat-trick in stoppage time with a straightforward tap-in, ensuring a second consecutive 4-1 victory for the Super Blues.

Limerick climb to seventh after this result and are now just three points behind Sligo Rovers immediately above them. On home soil at least, it’s happy days so far for Martin Russell on Shannonside.

Limerick FC: Ryan, Nzuzi, Oji, Folan, Williams, Turner, Hughes, Agyemang, Lynch, Djilali (O’Connor 76), Gaffney.

Bray Wanderers: McGuinness, Barker (Coombes 85), Cooney, Mitchell, Gorman, Akinade, McGill (G Kelly 50), Zambra, Hanlon (Hughes 52), Cassidy, Scully.

Referee: Graham Kelly

Attendance: 715