Limerick FC celebrate in style despite defeat

Liam Togher reports on the night Limerick FC lifted the Airtricity League Division 1 trophy despite losing 3-1 to Wexford Youths.

It wasn’t how Limerick FC would have envisaged rounding off a historic campaign, but their final game of the season was never about the result on the night.

Wexford Youths played the role of potential party poopers to perfection, with Danny Furlong helping himself to a second half hat-trick, but they could have done a Germany on it and won 6-1 and it wouldn’t have had any impact on the post-match euphoria.

This was no ordinary home game for Limerick FC. A full hour before kick-off, parking spaces were sparse around Jackman Park. Inside the venue, the programme vendors were also flogging scarves and a marquee had been set up outside the clubhouse.

The First Division trophy was being prepared, with the green and white Airtricity ribbons carefully attached to the handles. There was champagne literally on ice and the Limerick CBS Pipe Band provided pre-match entertainment.

When the game kicked off amid the pomp and ceremony, it didn’t take long for Limerick to get a sight of goal, Denis Behan firing over inside four minutes.

The Blues had the greater possession and chances in the opening exchanges but Furlong looked dangerous whenever Wexford had the ball near Barry Ryan’s goal.

The night’s first pitch invasion came when a stray dog wandered onto the field and played a key role in unwittingly intercepting a Wexford pass in the middle third before being coaxed off.

While that episode amused fans and players alike in Jackman Park, a concerned hush soon followed as Wexford midfielder Aidan Keenan slumped to the turf following a clash of heads and a four-minute stoppage.

Limerick hit the front on 35 minutes when the ever-reliable Shane Tracy netted his 10th goal of the season from the penalty spot, sending Graham Doyle the wrong way to open the scoring.

The home side were soon dealt a blow, however, when captain Pat Purcell was shown a red card for a studs-up tackle on Shane Nolan, and manager Pat Scully quickly withdrew Cian Collins to be replaced by Shane Guthrie.

The second half had barely started by the time Wexford drew level, Furlong netting with a free header as some fans were still deep in half-time conversation.

Stephen McGann and Garbhan Coughlan both had efforts which drifted wide and, in the 56th minute, Behan played a fine ball to Coughlan, but he shot straight into the arms of Wexford goalkeeper Doyle.

Wexford’s next foray into the opposition half resulted in them taking a 2-1 lead, Furlong making the most of a Limerick deflection to double his tally for the night.

Limerick were in no mood to be upstaged at their own promotion party and, midway through the second half, Behan forced a good save out of Doyle.

From the resulting corner Guthrie’s header seemed destined for the net, but James Dermody was on the goal line to deny the Limerick substitute.

Doyle continued to be kept busy, with Sean Brosnan, Jeffrey Judge and Stephen Bradley all testing the keeper as Limerick continued their pursuit of an equaliser.

Their hopes of salvaging a point, though, practically disappeared when Shaun Kelly was given a straight red card for what appeared an honest challenge, but that wasn’t how referee Keith Callinan saw it.

Furlong completed his hat-trick in stoppage time after being set up by Paul Malone, but in the overall scheme of things it was a mere footnote as the trophy was presented amid scenes of joy.

“This is what we wanted to achieve and our goal was to get into the Premier Division,” said Limerick manager Scully after the game.

“It was a bit of an anti-climax but the most important thing is that we’re in the Premier League now. The players worked very hard and they deserve to enjoy tonight.

“It’s fantastic for the fans. We’ve had great support and even when we only have 300 or 400 people here they stick with the team and give fantastic support.”

Following the trophy presentation, Limerick’s players signed autographs and posed for photos with supporters, proof of the strong bond that exists between fans and players at the club. When Limerick FC next take to the field in spring 2013, they will do so as a Premier Division club. After 18 arduous years outside the top flight, that is the new and exciting reality for the Super Blues.

LIMERICK FC – Barry Ryan, Shaun Kelly, Pat Purcell (Capt), Corie Treacy, Shane Tracy, Stephen Bradley, Dave O’Leary, Steve McGann (Jeffrey Judge 60), Garbhan Coughlan, Cian Collins (Shane Guthrie 41), Denis Behan (Sean Brosnan 73).

WEXFORD YOUTHS – Graham Doyle (Capt), Shane Clarke, C.J. Browne, Jamie Carr, James Dermody, Shane Nolan (Brian Nolan 83), Thomas Croke, Paul Malone, Aidan Keenan (Dean Broaders 31), Eric Molloy, Danny Furlong.

REFEREE – Keith Callinan (Cork).