Limerick 1 Dundalk 2

A string of superb saves by Limerick goalkeeper Barry Ryan was not sufficient to prevent Dundalk having their first win in Limerick for six years when they won a cracking contest at Thomond Park.

Amongst Ryan's saves was a penalty stop from Richard Towell but a late goal by Darren Meenan gave the visitors a significant win in their bid for the title and left Limerick again bemoaning not taking their chances created in the main by Rory Gaffney.

Limerick made a bright start and Shane Tracy and Rory Gaffney, twice, had chances but Dundalk eventually settled and they grabbed the opening goal after sixteen minutes.

Pat Hoban was pushed and and Richard Towell's free was eventually forced over the Limerick goal line by Brian Gartland.

It took a magnificent save by goalkeeper Barry Ryan to deny Towell from doubling the score with a free but Limerick got back on terms after 30 minutes when Danny Galbraith was taken down and Tracy made no mistake with the penalty.

Great chance
Limerick fluffed a great chance when Gaffney crossed the ball in front of goal two minutes before the break but nobody got a touch and Andrew Boyle cleared.

Tony Whitehead rescued Limerick after 57 minutes and then came a great chance for Dundalk to go in front but Ryan saved a penalty from Towell and followed with three more superb stops, twice from Pat Hoban.

But there was little Ryan could do to prevent Darren Meenan scoring when he slipped the cover and then beat the 'keeper for what proved the winner after 76 minutes.

LIMERICK FC: Ryan, Whitehead, Kelly, Williams, Folan, Hughes, Tracy (McGrath 66), Galbraith (Rainsford 89), Duggan (McManus 79), Agyemang, Gaffney.
DUNDALK: Cherrie, Boyle, Gannon, Gartland, Massey, Horgan, Meenan, Shields, Towell, Byrne (Higgins 87), Hoban (McMillan 74).
Referee: N Doyle, Dublin.