Shock as Limerick FC lose in Waterford

LIMERICK FC fell to shock 3-1 defeat to Waterford Utd on Friday night as Pat Scully’s side suffered the first setback in their bid to gain promotion to the Airtricity League Premier Division next season.

While Limerick had opened their campaign with a 2-1 win over Finn Harps the week before, Waterford were thrashed 6-0 by local rivals Wexford Youths.

But despite Limerick’s status as red-hot favourites, they failed to take anything from the RSC grounds and will have to show huge improvement over the coming weeks if they’re to live up to their pre-season status.

Willie John Kiely fired the hosts into the lead in the 22nd minute after being set up by Paul Phelan. Limerick were on the back foot from there and although Pat Purcell and Denis Behan twice went close, it stayed 1-0 at the break.

Waterford sat back after the break and Limerick really upped the ante but were repeatedly thwarted by last-ditch Waterford defending. They eventually levelled things up with 20 minutes remaining. Waterford conceded a free-kick on the left touchline and Limerick centre-half Shane Guthrie rose brilliantly to glance a deft header beyond Holden and bring his team back into the game with 20 minutes to go.

Limerick looked to push on from that goal and find a winner in the last quarter of the game, committing numbers forward and really pressuring the Waterford back-line.

But Waterford sub Sean Maguire put his side ahead and Willie John Kiely doubled their advantage late on.

Waterford United - Packie Holden; Paul Carey, Dylan Mernagh, Craig Burns, Seamus Long; Paul Phelan, Gary Dempsey, Gary Dunphy, Peter Higgins (Sean Maguire 78), Ben Ryan; Willie John Kiely (Peter Keegan 93). Subs: Sean Maguire for Higgins (78 mins), Peter Keegan for Kiely (93 mins)

Limerick FC - Barry Ryan; Corie Treacy, Pat Purcell, Shane Guthrie, Andrew Bhandarkar; Joe Gamble, Stephen Bradley, Rory Gaffney; Paudie Quinn, Denis Behan, Derek O’Brien. Subs: Stephen McGann for Bradley (45 mins), Dominic Foley for Quinn (51 mins), Gary Sheahan for Behan (66 mins).