Brave County’s ill-fated journey continues

Limerick FC 1, Kildare County 1

It wasn’t much better for the County faithful who took the more direct route to the Pike Field. One and all were left with a hollow feeling.


This didn’t match the agony felt during last season’s closing moments; that experience may have helped on Sunday. But the real reason for the emptiness may be because it’s over for another year.


People who have travelled the land and reduced themselves to biting nails whilst staring blankly at teletext can breath again. Voices can take a rest, heartbeats return to a healthier murmur and all involved can say “by God we were close, sure we’ll give it another shot after the winter hibernation.”


But credit where credit is due. The last time the sides met, County had a 13-point advantage over their rivals. Limerick players and staff hadn’t been paid since an unbeaten home run started in May.


By Sunday evening little had changed in one of the two fronts. Yet manager Mike Kerley had taken the league’s only true amateur club one step closer to promotion.


“The last time we played Kildare we were out of it according to most people and we thought we’d be doing well to pull them back to within two or three by the last game. But the way it worked out, we were two points up and I think we can give anybody a game down here now, including Derry.


“But to be honest this win is more important for the club than the team in terms of what the play-offs will bring financially.


“If we can get the right infrastructure and a proper facility in place, the people will come out and see us. I hope investors take notice of the potential of the club.”


Unfortunately, Eric Hannigan was unavailable for comment. One can only imagine the bitter disappointment he and his play-ers were suffering.


The atmosphere inside the Limerick venue was intense but there was something not quite right (apart from yours truly’s sense of direction).


Limerick had slightly the better of a nervous opening. The first half-chance arrived on eight minutes. Eoin Keating’s surge from mid-field allowed James Sugrue to cross and his ball from the right was put inches wide by Derek McCarthy.


Minutes later Keating again caused havoc for County, leaving Pat Purcell to test Danny O’Leary.


Stephen O’Flynn went close with a free before the goal finally arrived on 26 minutes. The danger again came about from a Sugrue cross and this time centre half Paul Finnucane made no mistake with a close range header. It was the moment that would deny Kildare a play-off berth.


Up to that the Thoroughbreds had looked dangerous on the break and they wasted no time in drawing level. From the restart despair turned to frenzied celebration thanks to the most sensational of goals.


The ball arrived at the feet of Marc Kenny inside his own half and the midfield general, spotting John Healy’s out of his goal, sent the ball wondrously to the net.


The home side pressed hard to regain the initiative before the interval, twice going close courtesy of Colm Heffernan.


The second half was more a matter of desperation as the visitors tried to avoid the agony of another fifth place finish. However, the goal never looked likely and a platform for the pressure required was never established.


Alan Keely and Barry O’Connor both failed to test Healy from distance whilst substitute John Ryan twice got in the way of long-range efforts.


If there was to be a winner, the Treaty Men looked the more likely as time and time again they exploited a deserted County half. McCarthy went close with a header and O’Flynn was denied on more than one occasion by a heroic O’Leary, who also prevented Heffernan from adding his name to the scoresheet.


The last 20 minutes passed all to quickly and the final whistle was greeted by pandemonium from the mammoth home support. Hannigan had repeated Dermot Keely’s accomplishment, although attitudes towards respective fifth places may differ.


Come April he will again take charge but if a new campaign starts as this finished his and the club’s future may be in question.


Uefa licensing is the next big issue to be decided but all in the short grass county can take comfort, knowing their club is in a position to meet the requirements that yesterday’s opponents can only dream about.


In hindsight, a golden opportunity wasn’t wasted at the weekend in Limerick. It was thrown away in Monaghan, Athlone, Cobh and Dundalk. Thankfully, both the on and off-field turmoil seems to have abated although it hasn’t passed without leaving damage.


Try and try again becomes tiresome after 20 months but that’s now what must be done as another year draws to a close. Please contact your local GP in case of withdrawal symptoms!


Limerick: John Healy, Stephen O’Mahony, Conor Molan, Paul Finucane, Pat Purcell, Brendan Sweeney, Eoin Keating, James Sugrue, Steve O’Flynn, Derek McCarthy, Colm Heffernan.


Kildare County: Danny O’Leary, Damien Brennan, Alan Kelly, Ray Scully, Alan Keely, Mark Kenny (John Ryan


60), Shay Zeller, Ben Whelehan, Matt Briton, Barry O’Connor, Alan McNevin.


Referee: Pat Whelan (Áth Cliath).