Duggan on the double as leaders Limerick FC pass students test

LEADERS Limerick FC made it a record eight straight wins at the start of a First Division season when scoring a dramatic 2-1 victory over UCD at Belfield Bowl on Friday night.

Two splendid goals, one in each half from captain Shane Duggan, helped Martin Russell’s side maintain their excellent 100% start to the season.

Both sides finished the game with 10 men and Limerick missed a second half penalty in an incident-packed top-of-the-table clash.

Duggan put the high-flying Blues in front on 16 minutes when he fired home superbly from the edge of the box.

UCD, second in the table before kick-off, equalised three minutes before half time when Ryan Swan scored with a close-range finish after Dylan Watts' cross.

However, a resilient Limerick side upped their performance after the break and skipper Duggan fired the visitors in front with a terrific 30-yard strike on 49 minutes.

Limerick had the chance to go 3-1 in front after 57 minutes when awarded a penalty which resulted in the sending-off of UCD’s Niall Corbet.

However, former Blues ‘keeper Conor O’Donnell, who had come on as a substitute, saved Shane Tracy’s spot kick.

Limerick were reduced to 10 men on 65 minutes when Robbie Williams was sent-off after dragging down Swan.

The Blues retained their 2-1 advantage until full-time to cement their position at the top of the First Division table.

UCD: Niall Corbett, Adam Harney, Mark Langtry, Maxi Kouogun, Tomas Boyle, Greg Sloggett (Kieran Waters 85), Daire O’Connor, Gary O’Neill (Capt), Ryan Swan, Dylan Watts, Jason McCelland (George Kelly 85). 

LIMERICK FC: Freddy Hall, Shaun Kelly (Garbhan Coughlan half-time), Robbie Williams, Paul O’Conor, Lee J Lynch, Shane Duggan (Capt), Aaron Greene, Shane Tracy, Stephen Kenny (Tony Whitehead 67), Chris Mulhall, Paudie O’Connor.

REFEREE: Marc Lynch