LIMERICK FC were denied a second win from their opening two games in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division thanks to a 90th minute equaliser in their game with Bohemians at the Markets Field on Saturday.
Eoghan Stokes’ header cancelled out Cian Coleman’s 59th minute opener and Limerick head into tomorrow’s trip to Dundalk with four points from their two games to date. The draw leaves Limerick third in the table.
It was Bohs that had the better of the opening exchanges with Stokes firing the first shot in anger after 12 minutes that curled over Brendan Clarke’s crossbar.
Daniel Kearns replied for Limerick but it was the away side that had the best chance of the opening half hour through Phillip Gannon. However, his effort after good hold up play by Dinny Corcoran failed to test Clarke.
Paddy Kavanagh did manage to force a fine stop from the Limerick goalkeeper with a stinging shot as Bohs began to turn the screw towards the end of the first-half.
Limerick improved when the game got back underway and took the lead just before the hour with a swift counter attack.
Kearns won the ball on the halfway line and after running towards the Bohs box, he passed to Billy Dennehy. He sent a ball to the back post where Shane Duggan was waiting.
The Limerick skipper controlled on his chest before firing an effort across goal where Coleman was on hand to turn the ball into the net.
The home side had a great chance to double their lead with 17 minutes remaining when Kearns played Mark O’Sullivan through on goal. With only the keeper to beat, O’Sullivan miscued and the home side were punished as the game headed into added time.
A Bohs throw in was cleared by the Limerick defence but Derek Pender played the ball back into the penalty area to an unmarked Rob Cornwall. The central defender headed back across goal where Stokes was waiting to pounce for the equalising goal.
Limerick fans cried for offside on Cornwall but no flag was forthcoming and the Super Blues had to settle for a point.
LIMERICK FC: Brendan Clarke; Shaun Kelly, Tony Whitehead, Darren Dennehy, Shane Tracy; Daniel Kearns (Danny Morrissey 86), Eoin Wearen, Cian Coleman, Billy Dennehy; Shane Duggan (c), Mark O’Sullivan (Connor Ellis 76); Subs not used: Tommy Holland, Killian Cantwell, Will Fitzgerald, Colm Walsh-O’Loghlen, Clyde O’Connell.
BOHEMIANS: Shane Supple; Derek Pender, Rob Cornwall, Dan Casey, Darragh Leahy; Paddy Kavanagh (Karl Moore 68), Oscar Brennan (Ian Morris 76), Keith Buckley (JJ Lunney 87), Eoghan Stokes; Philip Gannon; Dinny Corcoran; Subs not used: Dan Byrne, John Ross Wilson, Colin McCabe, Dylan Watts.
Referee: Ray Matthews.
