Limerick enjoyed the better of the opening half but failed to create a clear opening after the first minute. Captain Shane Duggan hacked an effort over after just 35 seconds when he looked certain to add to his goal from the 1-0 win in Bray Wandere
Limerick enjoyed the better of the opening half but failed to create a clear opening after the first minute.
Captain Shane Duggan hacked an effort over after just 35 seconds when he looked certain to add to his goal from the 1-0 win in Bray Wanderers.
The Blues looked to a combination of Karl O’Sullivan and Danny Morrissey, the pair were busy throughout. Eoin Wearen and Conor Clifford matched the endeavours of Aaron McEneff and Nicky Low, which lead to somewhat of a stalemate in midfield.
Patterson went close with a drilled shot 31, but Derry were sluggish at times and failed to penetrate a youthful Limerick defence, which included a debut for Alan Murphy at left-back. However, with seconds remaining in the opening half, the Candystripes struck the front.
A quality through-ball from Rory Hale found veteran attacker Rory Patterson who made no mistake to give the visitors the lead with a low-right footed effort. Danny Morrissey should have levelled after the break, the striker failed to connect adequate when sliding in at the back post, the ball trickled inches wide of Doherty’s goal.
Sub Mark O’Sullivan could have opened his Limerick account, however he skied his effort from inside the area after a great lay-off from Morrissey. Derry punished the Blues soon after. Aaron McEneff added to his tally with a wonderful strike.
He pounced on indecision in the Limerick area and fired emphatically past Clarke. McEneff added his second from the spot in stoppage time, in front of 703 spectators.
