TITLE DALK AFTER LATE DUFFY STRIKE
Hero Michael’s winner could prove priceless
‘YOU’RE nothing special, we lose every week’ sang the Limerick fans who were bang on the money on both counts.
Their weary struggles at the wrong end of the table continue – and Dundalk were no great shakes.
And yet this could go down as a defining night in the title race as Michael Duffy scored a priceless winner nine minutes from time.
Moments later, news of Sligo Rovers’ winner at Turner’s Cross filtered through and the travelling fans were singing in the rain.
With six games to go, their claims of winning the league are premature but their team now boasts a six-point lead over Cork City in the race for glory.
The Lilywhites were shook Duffy 81 by the late drama at Oriel Park on Tuesday and were slowly into stride here.
They have not lost backto-back league games since August 2016 and Limerick looked capable of putting them to the sword on a number of occasions.
Dundalk saw plenty of ball in the opening half but created little with it and Limerick sensed their unease.
The hosts were tenacious and repeatedly hit Dundalk on the counter, asking plenty of questions of the league leaders.
The impressive Will Fitzgerald shot straight at Gary Rogers while Karl O’sullivan posed further questions of the defence as Limerick upped the ante in pursuit of an opener.
Dundalk lacked punch in the final third but Dean Jarvis forced Tommy Holland to save at full stretch after Michael Duffy’s free crashed off the wall.
The two best chances of the opening half came in the two minutes before halftime.
First, Rogers had to steer the ball around his post when Cian Coleman flicked Fitzgerald’s booming throwin at goal.
And Holland then pulled off a smart save to thwart the league’s top scorer Pat
Hoban whose bullet header from Dylan Connolly’s drilled cross packed a meaty punch.
That effort did not curb Limerick’s enthusiasm and the hosts kicked on again early in the second-half with Ellis unleashing a vicious drive.
Ronan Murray’s half-time arrival for Connolly gave Dundalk more penetration and urgency through the middle in the final third.
And the vast majority of the closing 20 minutes was played deep in Limerick’s half, with Patrick Mceleney adding spice off the bench.
And Dundalk – who come back here in the FAI Cup quarter-finals next week – kept the faith. Building towards a finish, they got their rewards nine minutes from time.
Hoban appealed for a penalty but the loose ball broke to Duffy who smashed home a winner worth its weight in gold.