IRELAND - League Report: Limerick FC 7 - 2 Waterford United

Limerick extended their advantage at the top of the First Division to a dozen points as they eventually saw off a Waterford United side who showed plenty of endeavour for an hour until Martin Russell’s men got on top at Market’s Field.

John O’Flynn was the star of the night with a hat-trick, while Paul O’Conor, Stephen Kenny and substitute Chirs Mulhall added the extras. David O’Leary and James O’Brien scored two wonderful goals for United, who eventually ran out of energy, in front of 1,457 spectators on Saturday evening.

It took just 47 seconds for Limerick to take the lead with John O’Flynn receiving a gift from winger Stephen Kenny, after a good ball from Garbhan Coughlan.

Paul O’Conor and Aaron Greene tried their luck at doubling the lead, as Waterford were slow to settle. But Dave O’Leary soon equalised from distance, after his former employers allowed him too much time to pick out the top corner, despite a strong hand to the ball from Freddy Hall.

Despite having much less possession, Roddy Collins’ side had one foot in the game and were level on the scoreboard until they were undone late in the first half.

Limerick almost restored their advantage when Lee-J Lynch, on for the injured Coughlan, fired first time at Kevin Burns from close range after a clever lay off from O’Flynn; the 25-year-old ‘keeper got a right hand to it to send it behind for a corner.

Ten minutes before the interval, Paudie O’Connor thought he had scored. The centre-half rose highest, only to head Kenny’s corner agonisingly the wrong side of the post.

The home side, unlike previous home games, didn’t have it all their own way. Midfielder Anthony McAlavey robbed Shane Duggan of the ball before testing Bermudian Hall between the posts.

But, with the half threatening to fizzle out, O’Flynn showed his class once more as he beat Burns on 42 minutes.  Waterford almost levelled moments later, with Eoin Rhodes latching onto a David O’Leary though-ball, only for the on-rushing Hall to deny him. In the blink of an eye though, it was 3-1. O’Flynn raced onto a Kenny pass before once again finding the corner to complete his first-half hat-trick.

Limerick dominated the opening exchanges after the change of ends. Efforts from Captain Shane Duggan, Aaron Greene and Paudie O’Connor all came in first six minutes of the second half.

But Limerick fell asleep in the 55^th minute. James O’Brien strolled through the middle to send a looping effort over Hall to reduce the deficit.

The next opening of the night, almost saw the game level at 3-3. Substitute Aaron O’Connor picked out Philly Gorman, but the skipper could only head wide with Hall beaten.

Paul O’Conor, who scored two at the RSC in March, produced a neat finish after a majestic through ball from O’Flynn who had won the ball from a United defender. The ex-Barnet attacker was creative once again as his back-heel let Kenny in, only for the effort to sail into the Garryowen night.

Burns saved well from Lynch on 68 minutes, as the fitness of full-time Limerick began to show. Kenny added the home sides fifth  on 74, with a cross getting a Paul O’Connor touch to allow Kenny the time to place the ball home.

Full-back Shane Tracy almost added a sixth, his free-kick flying narrowly wide, as the local man remains just off 50 League of Ireland goals. Aaron O’Connor was wasteful at the opposite end soon after, with Limerick, once again, gifting a chance to their Munster rivals.

O’Flynns replacement Chirs Mulhall made it 6-2 when a deflected shot looped into his path and an audacious finish left Burns flat-footed once again. There was time for one more, Paul O’Conor heading home a Lynch chip to round off an overwhelming victory.

Limerick’s immpecable season continues and they next face Galway United in the EA Sports Cup quarter-final on Tuesday. Waterford must re-group as they welcome back their manager to the touchline for a clash with UCD on Friday evening.

Meanwhile, €1,014 was raised by the home support in aid of Waterford United – who have cited financial concerns publicly recently.

Limerick: Freddy Hall; Shaun Kelly, Paudie O’Connor, Tony Whitehead, Shane Tracy; Shane Duggan ©, Paul O’Conor, Garbhan Coughlan (Lee-J Lynch 23), Aaron Greene, Stephen Kenny (Ross Mann 76), John O’Flynn (Chris Mulhall 70).

Subs Not Used: Tommy Holland (gk), Shane Costelloe, Colm Murphy, Jordan Moore.

Booked: None

Waterford United: Kevin Burns; Dean Reidy (Aaron O’Connor HT), Roy Butler, Colm Nugent, Dylan McGuire (James Dermody HT); Robert Buckley (Shane Mackey 69), David O’Leary, Anthony McAlavey, James O’Brien; Eoin Rhodes, Philly Gorman ©.

Subs Not Used: Corey Chambers (gk), Darren Murphy, Dean Broaders, Richard Tobin.

Booked: James Dermody (79)

Referee: John O’Loughlin.

Attendance: 1,457.

Man of the Match:  John O’Flynn (Limerick).