Late, late Lavin goal rescues Limerick

Limerick 2-12 Donegal 4-6:An injury-time goal from Stephen Lavin yesterday gave Limerick a deserved draw against tabletoppers Donegal at the Gaelic Grounds.

Indeed, the home side should have taken the two points - as they dominated the contest for most of the game - and, but for some super strikes by Donegal forwards, they would have.

With John Galvin dominating the midfield exchanges, the home team recovered from conceding two goals in the first 17 minutes to lead at the break by 1-7 to 2-2.

Leon Thompson had Donegal's first goal on 10 minutes, getting injured in the process, but his replacement, Michael Doherty, added the second goal seven minutes later to put Donegal 2-1 to 0-2 ahead.

However, Limerick pulled themselves back into the contest - hitting an unanswered 1-5 in 10 minutes, the goal coming from midfielder Thomas Cahill on 21 minutes.

John Galvin hit two points while Michael Reidy was also in form. Limerick also had seven first-half wides with the breeze at their backs.

The second half saw Christy Toye adding a third Donegal goal inside two minutes and, when Adrian Sweeney added a fourth goal on 47 minutes, they looked home and dry.

But Limerick never threw in the towel and they came back in the final five minutes with a point from Darren Horan, before Lavin's goal gave them a deserved share of the spoils.

Apart from the excellent Galvin, corner back Diarmuid Carroll hit two points and Michael Reidy can also be happy with his contribution.

Donegal only needed a point to ensure a semi-final spot, but they were only a shadow of the team that toppled Kerry seven days earlier.

Donegal manager Brian McIver dismissed rumours that there was indiscipline in the Donegal camp after the Kerry win and he felt Donegal were happy with the point.

"We had a chance midway through the second half when we were four-up to drive home and win, but, in fairness, I think Limerick deserved something from the game," said McIver.

Donegal have their final game at home to Fermanagh next Sunday while Limerick will have a Munster derby with Cork to decide who will be in Division Three for next season.

LIMERICK: S Kelly; D Carroll (0-2), J McCarthy, S Gallagher; P Ahern, P Browne, P Ranahan; T Cahill (1-0), J Galvin (0-2); S Lavin (1-0), J Ryan, J Cooke (0-1); S Buckley, D Horan (0-1), M Reidy (0-5, three frees). Subs: G Collins (0-1) for Cooke; J O'Brien for Buckley; D McAuley for Carroll.

DONEGAL: P Durcan: T Donoghue, P Campbell, K Lacey; P McConigley (0-1), B Monaghan, E McGee; K Cassidy (0-2), J Friel; C Toye (1-0), M Hegarty (0-1), R Bradley; L Thompson (1-0), B Devenney (0-2, one free), A Sweeney (1-0). Subs: M Doherty (1-0) for Thompson; J McLoone for Toye.

Referee: G Lynch (Kerry).