Gaffney double helps Limerick FC to Athlone win

LIMERICK FC beat Athlone Town 2-1 on Friday night to remain four points behind Airtricity League First Division pacesetters, Longford Town.

However, ‘the Blues’ victory wasn’t secured in a manner which will unduly frighten Shamrock Rovers ahead of their glamour FAI Cup tie at Tallaght Stadium on Friday night.

Goals in either half at Jackman Park from Man of the Match Rory Gaffney helped Pat Scully’s second-placed side remain within four points of Longford Town.

The top two sides in the Division meet in a crucial tie at Flancare Park on Saturday, June 2.

In the meantime, Limerick FC have the none-too-small-matter of a FAI Ford Cup round two meeting with Premier Division, Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium on Friday night (8pm).

Manager Scully will appreciate the need for his side to eradicate the sloppiness which allowed former Limerick player Garvan Broughall to equalise for the visitors after 73 minutes on Friday night.

Despite taking a first half lead through Gaffney, Limerick had looked nervy and edgy through the middle third of the game.

Limerick did show good resilience to regain the lead in the 79th minute through Gaffney – his sixth goal of the season – although the Midlanders were adamant that he had impeded a defender’s in the lead-up to his excellent finish.

Afterwards Limerick FC manager, Pat Scully said: “In the second half we got very sloppy and you could see their equaliser coming. Our passing was very, very poor and we had the ball for their goal and we just wait and wait and wait.

“When we play at a good tempo, we are a good team, but when we slow it down, we are not so good.

“But I thought our reaction when they got back to 1-1; with 12 or 13 minutes left was first class. Rory scored a great goal, it was a brilliant finish.

Manager Scully is looking forward to taking his charges to Dublin to face one of his old teams, Shamrock Rovers, in the Cup.

“It is a great game to look forward to. We probably couldn’t get a tougher draw,” Scully conceded.

“But it is a great stadium. There will be a big crowd there and we have to go out and play. Once we do, we will be fine.”

LIMERICK FC – Dave Ryan, Shaun Kelly, Pat Purcell, Shane Gutherie, Rory Gaffney, Shane Tracy, Dave O’Leary, Garry Sheahan (Stephen McGann 80), Denis Behan, Stephen Bradley, Barry Sheedy (Sean Brosnan 66).

ATHLONE TOWN – Pat Jennings, Niall Scullion, Ross Kenny (Kevin Williamson 48), Mark Walsh (Joe Woods ht), Brian McCarthy, Stephen Relihan, Damien Rushe (Sean Guerins 83), Brian Gill, Garvan Broughall, Mark Sherlock, Jason Hughes.

REFEREE – Keith Callinan (Cork)