Limerick out of luck as Derry deliver late

AIRTRICITY LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION

Stuart Taylor will feel hard done by, Limerick having deservedly led at the break, before losing the match over the final six minutes.

Poor over the opening period, Derry certainly upped their performance after the break but no-one could have predicted that dramatic late finish.

Limerick broke the deadlock in the 27th minute. Shane Tracy whipped in a corner to the near post where centre-half, Steve Folan’s, glancing header found the net from close range.

The Limerick keeper denied Derry an equaliser on two occasions, when he pulled off superb saves from Michaeal Rafter and Rory Patterson.

And as Derry continued to huff and puff, they lacked penetration until the final minutes.

However, with four minutes remaining the “Candystripes” were rewarded for their efforts when Mark Griffin turned sharply on a loose ball to drive a low shot to the net from 16 yards.

And, sensationally, in the 88th minute a shot from Patterson appeared to take a deflection giving Ryan no chance, and the Brandywell erupted.

DERRY CITY: Doherty; Madden, McBride (Houston, 79), S. McEleney, McCaffrey; Molloy, McNamee, Higgins; Griffin, Patterson, Rafter (P. McEleney, 79).

LIMERICK: Ryan; Kelly, Brown, Folan, Williams; Galbraith, O’Leary, Gamble, Bossekota (Judge 87), Tracy; Gaffney (Nzuzi, 59).

Referee: T Connolly (Dublin).