Late drama seals Limerick’s cup win

Limerick FC 1 Avondale United 0: A last-minute Shane Tracy penalty saw Martin Russell’s Limerick capture the Munster Senior Cup as they edged Avondale United 1-0 at a rain-soaked Askeaton yesterday.

Avondale United had Daniel O’Leary to thank for keeping the game level for so long as the keeper turned in a man of the match performance but was eventually outdone right at the death as the game looked to be heading for extra-time.

O’Leary made a great stop in the 12th minute to keep out Tracy’s long-range effort before turning Jason Hughes’ shot around his post 10 minutes later.

Ian Turner came close with a free-kick shortly before the break but again O’Leary was equal to it as a dominant Limerick ended the half on top.

Turner had a good chance eight minutes into the second half but dragged his shot wide when he looked like scoring before Simon Holland went close for the Munster Senior League side five minutes later.

Karl Caulfield had a great chance to put Dave O’Keeffe’s side in front midway through the second half but Tony Whitehead made a great block to deny the busy midfielder.

Ross Mann was then denied by O’Leary again after Sean McSweeney’s through ball before Paul O’Conor headed wide from a good position.

The Airtricity League side’s pressure did eventually pay off when they were awarded a last-minute penalty which Tracy converted, allowing Martin Russell claim his first piece of silverware as Limerick boss.

LIMERICK FC:

O’Donnell, Costelloe, Whitehead, Tracy, Williams, Feeney (Rainsford 63), Hughes, McSweeney, Hanlon, Turner (O’Conor 63), Mann.

AVONDALE UNITED:

O’Leary, Kiely, Mulconroy, Cahill, Lougheed, Comerford, Caulfied, Kelly, O’Donovan, Holland, R Long.