Controversial penalty robs Mervue Utd of deserved share of the spoils
Date Published: {J}
Mervue United 1Limerick FC 2
Mike Rafferty
With a blatant act of cheating, Limerick secured a match winner that their performance did not deserve as they left Fahy’s Field with all the points on offer from this Airtricity League of Ireland First Division clash on Friday night.
The game’s turning point came on 71 minutes when a delivery from the right saw Paudie Quinn make absolutely no attempt to play the ball, as he literally threw himself on the ground without ever making contact with his marker Mike Elwood.
Kevin O’Regan, the Kerry match official, had been conned and doubts must have entered his mind also as he lectured the central defender, but pulled no cards on a player who was booked earlier.
The resulting penalty was slotted home by Shane Tracey to put the visitors 2-1 ahead and there was no way back thereafter as the big central defensive duo of Pat Purcell and Shane Gutherie mopped up the home side’s rescue plans.
The outcome leaves Mervue propping up the table as they lie pointless after three games, but in fairness they at least deserved a share of the spoils from this encounter.
The home side who were without Alan Murphy and Gary Kelly, tested Barry Ryan on 14 minutes when Barry McEntee fired at the custodian, while Jason Molloy did likewise shortly afterwards.
However moments earlier some sustained Limerick pressure presented the opener. A Quinn shot tested Ronan Forde, with the young custodian turning the effort around a post. The resulting corner by Rory Gaffney was cleared to the edge of the box, where it was met by Joe Gamble who opened the scoring with a cracking strike.With Gamble the central figure, the visitors continued to hold the edge for a spell and Purcell was just over with a header following another Gaffney set piece.
As the half developed, Mervue looked to be getting more comfortable. McEntee was threading some neat passes about the place, while Molloy was probing and threatening.
For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.