BOHEMIANS 5 LIMERICK 0
As close to a relegation six-pointer you can get at this stage of the season prior to kick off, an understandable and tetchy opening was to be expected as neither side wanted to give up too much, too early.
But it was the visitors who looked more assured in possession and had the better e to take the lead. The combative Conor Ellis looked a constant threat and should have put his side in front following Karl O’Sullivans trickery down the right wing. The pacey wingers cross was only half dealt with and the ball fell invitingly to the left foot of the Limerick front man who took a wild swipe with his left foot and sent the ball over the bar.
This miss was to prove costly as the home side settled into the game taking the lead just before the half hour mark. Following some smart play down the left, the always impressive Darragh Leahy, cleverly cut the ball back to Keith Ward from the end line. The creative midfielder then saw his chipped cross blocked which in turn sent the ball looping in the air. Leahy reacted quickest and headed across the face of the goal to the grateful Kevin Devaney to nod home from point blank range.
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The home side then doubled their lead shortly after through a beautifully swept finish from 25 yards out by JJ Lunney, as the Gypsies ended the half in clinical fashion
Keith Longs troops had a number of chances to kill the game off as the second half progressed. Ward and Corcoran both had gone close from the edge of the area just before a goal of the season contender from Keith Buckley looked to kill the contest off. Kevin Devaney cut inside onto his right foot looking to get a strike away but was eventually crowded out. He then opted to lay it off to midfielder Buckley, who proceeded to hammer home a thunderbolt of a strike from all of 30 yards.
Substitute Danny Grant made an instant impact slotting home the fourth from Wards clever cut back, after Corcoran had initially hit the post, as Bohs went into cruise control.
Bohs added a fifth from the penalty spot, just before the end. Grant was picked out by Corcorans through ball but just as he looked to finish, was hauled down by Coleman Hennessy, who inevitably received his marching orders for the challenge. Up stepped Eoghan Stokes to calmly slot home and make it five on a wonderful night for the Phibsboro faithful.
Bohemian FC: Shane Supple, Derek Pender, Ian Morris, Dan Casey, Darragh Leahy, Keith Buckley, JJ Lunney, Daniel Kelly, Keith Ward, Kevin Devaney, Dinny Corcoran
Subs: Sean Bohan, Dan Byrne, Andy Lyons, Oscar Brennan, Daniel Grant, Eoghan Stokes, Cristian Magerusan
Limerick FC: Tommy Holland, Shaun Kelly, Cian Coleman, Shane Duggan, Conor Ellis, Killian Brouder, William Fitzgerald, Billy Dennehy, Karl O’Sullivan, Darren Murphy, Barry Maguire
Subs: Jack Brady, Danny Morrissey, Tomas O’Connor, Col Walsh-O’Loughlin, Adam Foley, Jason Cross, Coleman Hennessy
Referee: Derek Tomney
