Harps red is punished by O’Connor

LIMERICK booked their spot in the last eight of the Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup thanks to a slender win over Finn Harps at the Markets Field.

The home side hadn’t reached the quarter-final stage of the FAI Cup since 2011, and Ollie Horgan hoped his charges could extend that barren spell.

A solid defensive showing by the visitors in the opening 20 minutes was undermined by the dismissal of Caolan McAleer two minutes later.

To that point, all Limerick could muster was a long-range shot from Chiedozie Ogbene.

Finn Harps boss Horgan was understandably frustrated as the moment of madness from McAleer meant that his side would be under pressure for the remainder of the game.

After a promising Harps attack petered out, McAleer kicked out at Limerick full-back Dave O’Connor and referee Anthony Buttimer was quick to issue him with his marching orders.

The opening half had little flow however – with many delays due to Harps players hitting the deck and requiring treatment.

Harps boss Horgan has been vocal about his paper-thin squad and this won’t have helped their survival efforts.

Limerick would eventually get the breakthrough after the hour mark when a clever move down the right gave Garbhan Coughlan a chance to centre.

His cross to the far post was well weighted and Dave O’Connor was at the back post the head home from a couple of yards.

Rodrigo Tosi looked like he’d be the one to apply the finishing touch, but he missed the ball. Thankfully, the former Shamrock Rovers defender was on hand to spare his blushes.