Behan and Collins fire Limerick to victory

Limerick got back to winning ways at home following a hard-fought victory over 10-man Mervue United at Jackman Park last night.

Denis Behan headed home a Steve Bradley corner in the 58th minute and substitute Cian Collins sealed the win with a neat finish four minutes from time.

Shane Guthrie and Pat Purcell had both gone close for Lims with close-range headers either side of the half-hour mark, Guthrie’s effort drifting inches wide.

At the other end, Patrick Hoban failed to get a full connection on an in-swinging Shane Keogh free-kick from just outside the six-yard box. The double strike then put Limerick in control and any hopes the visitors had of getting back into the game ended in the 76th minute when midfielder Garry Kelly was sent off for a foul on Dave O’Leary.

LIMERICK FC: Ryan, Kelly, Purcell, Guthrie, Tracy, Gamble, O’Leary (McGrath 87) Bradley, Behan, Gaffney, O’Brien (Collins 71).

MERVUE UNITED: Forde, McSweeney, Ludden, Elwood (Connelly 58) O’Rourke (Casserley 90) Kelly, Molloy, Keogh. Hoban, Murphy, Walsh (Nkololo 70).

Referee: S Grant (Wexford)