Last league meeting – Limerick
In our next league fixture, Galway United take on Limerick FC at Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday night! Kick off: 7.45pm.
The last time Galway United met Limerick FC in league action was a clash in the First Division at Hogan Park in September 2006. David O’Dowd’s six minute hat-trick helped United to a 5-1 win against the Superblues.
Ex Galway United striker Derek McCarthy was given his marching order by Padraic Sutton in the 8th minute for an off-the-ball incident with United left back Mick O’Donnell.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, the Shannonsiders took the lead before the interval when winger Colm Heffernan got on the end of a Kevin Waters cross, heading past Alan Gough.
Tony Cousins made a change at half time, replacing Alan Keane with Alan Murphy as he looked to inject some much needed impetus into United’s attack.
Limerick were defending resolutely against United but Austin O’Neill was finally beaten midway through the second half when David O’Dowd crossed to Finn Harps loanee Conor Gethins, and he made no mistake from 6 yards.
Gethins added a second goal moments later when he clinically rifled the ball into the bottom corner from long-range.
David O’Dowd got in on the act then, outpacing the Limerick defence to get through on goal before firing past Limerick netminder’ O’Neill.
Four minute later, O’Dowd sealed a quickfire double with Limerick’s defence tiring and losing concentration.
O’Dowd then sealed his six minute hat-trick in injury-time to send United top of the First Division with Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk in hot-pursuit.
Limerick FC: O’Neill; Cooney (Burke 84), Buckley, Finucane, Purcell, Barrett, Lester (Ryan 87), Sinnott (Miller 84), McCarthy, Waters, Heffernan.
Galway United: Gough; Keane (Murphy H/T), O’Donnell, Keady, Cleary, Carter, Cretaro (Cooke 67), Foley (Russell 84), O’Dowd, Gethins, O’Brien.