Limerick FC played without a recognised goalkeeper and with ten men for an hour, but still had enough to earn their fourth successive win and move up to third place in the First Division, with one goal enough to beat Longford Town at Hogan Park yesterday. Regular goalkeeper, Eddie Hickey, failed a late fitness test so skipper Albert Finnan played in goal in the absence of a replacement. Declan Casey was then hero and villain in an eventful opening half-hour when he scored what proved the game's only goal from an 11th minute 20-yard free kick and was then sent-off for pulling down Longford's Frankie Larkin as he bore down on goal.
Karl Gannon earned struggling Home Farm a point with an injury-time equaliser in a 1-1 draw with St Francis at Baldonnel.
St Francis led from Ciaran Duffy's 67th minute goal when he rose well at the back post to head home Thomas Clarke's cross.
Home Farm salvaged a point three minutes into added time when substitute Gannon was allowed space from Liam Kelly's corner to head the equaliser.
Galway United's topsy-turvy season was given a lift at Terryland Park on Saturday night where a 31 win over Monaghan saw them jump four places off the bottom of the table with Galway's goals coming from Fergal Coleman Eric Levine and Gareth Gorman. Monaghan's consolation came from Ken O'Brien who scored his first goal for the club.
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