Limerick do just enough to keep Athlone wanting

Limerick 2
Athlone Town 1

Most of the drama at Thomond Park came in a two-minute spell as the home side picked up their second win in a row and left Athlone still seeking their first point of the campaign.

Limerick were 2-1 in front after 78 minutes when the visiting goalkeeper Paul Skinner brought down Limerick substitute Ross Mann.

Referee Anthony Buttimer had no hesitation in sending the goalkeeper off and Athlone immediately introduced Sean Brennan for Barry Clancy. Brennan, a midfielder, moved into goal and saved Shane Tracy’s penalty.

Sean Byrne almost put the visitors in front after 13 minutes but Barry Ryan made a smart save but it was Limerick who took the lead after 22 minutes when Robbie Williams beat Skinner.

Limerick manager Stuart Taylor surely had harsh words for his defenders at half-time after they conceded a soft goal three minutes before the break when Kealan Dillon chipped out of Ryan's reach.

Regained lead
Limerick regained the lead seven minutes into the second half when substitute Tom McManus struck a splendid goal.

Athlone claimed a penalty when a clearance by Sam Oji seemed to hit the arms of fellow defender Shaun Kelly and after the penalty save at the other end Limerick had a late fright when Philip Gorman's effort whizzed just wide.

LIMERICK FC: Ryan, Folan, Kelly, Oji, Williams, Agyemang (Mann 67), Duggan, Gaffney, Hughes, Tracy, Curran (McManus 40).
ATHLONE TOWN: Skinner, Byrne (A), Byrne (S), McMahon, Prendergast, Clancy (Brennan S 79), Dillon (Marks 86), Hughes, O'Brien, Gorman, Rusk.
Referee: A Buttimer (Cork).