Dennehy shines on debut as Limerick come back to haunt the Showgrounds

DARREN DENNEHY’S debut goal earned Limerick an impressive opening night win away to Sligo Rovers in front of over 3,000 at the Showgrounds.

Dennehy headed home from close range against the run of play midway through the second half, as Limerick beat the Bit O’ Red in the first game of the season for the second year running.

Limerick had six newcomers in their starting team, and former Rovers winger Daniel Kearns thought he had scored midway through the half, but his precise curling effort was brilliantly palmed away by Micheál Schlingermann.

Brazilian Eduardo Pinceli was shown a yellow card for a clash with Shane Tracy towards the end of the half, but had a great chance to open the scoring for the home side shortly after, but his glancing header inside the area went the wrong side of the post.

Striker Adam Morgan and Roy had further chances, but Brendan Clarke and Dennehy intervened as the sides went in scoreless at the break.

Dennehy’s next intervention was even more effective, as Pinceli lost possession on the left, and the ball broke to Limerick captain Shane Duggan, whose cross picked out the former Cork City defender to flick home.

Prior to that, Pinceli’s ball across the face of goal just needed a touch from McAleer inside the area, but the former Finn Harps man could not connect.