Coughlan seals it for Limerick
Garbhan Coughlan eased the tension inside the ground with a fine finish for the second Limerick goal in the 87th minute.
Paudie Quinn opened the scoring with 30-yard screamer 10 minutes before the break.
Quinn headed against the post in the 13th minute and had an effort cleared off the line by Martin Conneely minutes later.
At the other end, Mike Collins saw his header hacked off the line by Andy Bandarker on the stroke of half-time as United continued to create chances.
LIMERICK FC: Ryan, Frost, Purcell, Bandarker, McCarthy, Judge, Lyons, McGann (Broughall 80) Hynes, Quinn (Coughlan 60) Brosnan (White 63)
MERVUE UTD: Hanley, King, Ludden, Conneely, Casserley, Varley, O’Brien, Crehan, Gaffney, Collins (Molloy 75) Mountney.
Referee: S Grant (Wexford).
Adrian Flanagan
A PENALTY goal by Paul Murphy in the 73rd minute, after he was taken down by Paddy Collins in front of goal, earned full points for Waterford United against Longford Town at the RSC last night.
The Blues almost found the net again ten minutes later but Conor Sinnott saw his shot come back off a post.
There was little between the sides in a tense game but the hoodoo that has denied the visitors a victory on Suirside for over five years held firm.
In the first half, Waterford goalkeeper Kevin Burns pulled off an excellent save to deny Don Cowan. Just before the half hour, Willie John Kiely had a golden opportunity to open the Blues’ account but he headed over the bar from 12-yards.
Eight minutes into the second half, Mark Salmon gained possession in front of the United goal but dragged his shot wide of the far post. A minute later, at the other end, Town goalkeeper Paul Hunt reacted superbly to turn a Conor Hunt shot out for a corner.
WATERFORD UNITED: Burns, Long, Browne, Murray, Coady, Walsh, Sinnott, Dunphy, Wilson, (Keane, 70 minutes) Kiely (Nolan, 91 minutes), Murphy.
LONGFORD TOWN: Hunt, Deans, Cronin, Collins, Hope, Hyland, Walsh (O’Reilly, 82 minutes), Salmon, Cowan, Roche (McGreal, 75 minutes), Brady (Morley, 68 minutes). Substitutes not used: Carberry, Conlon.
Referee: Kevin O’Regan, Kerry.
TWO goals in as many minutes on the hour gave Athlone Town the points against Wexford Youths at Athlone Town Stadium.
Mark Sherlock put the home side ahead after 60 minutes and two minutes later Jason Hughes added the second.
Wexford’s miserable night was compounded when Shane Nolan was sent off in the final minutes.
