taken from aertel pages..........
Late goal keeps Limerick on the top
Friday, 02 June 2006 10:41
Limerick manager Noel O'Connor
A goal three minutes from time by Colm Heffernan broke the resistance of Monaghan United to sustain Limerick's table-topping Division One form at Century Homes Park, as they ran out 1-0 winners.
It was a flattering win for Noel O'Connor's men, who had been matched in effort throughout the game by a patchwork Monaghan side assembled from a first-team squad short of ten players.
Defiant defending by Monaghan held Limerick at bay during a first half of few chances. A mis-hit cross by Limerick's Colm Heffernan threatened to loop into the United net in the 27th minute but centre- back Ciaran Friel got back to head clear.
The best chance of the half fell to Monaghan in the 38th minute.
Limerick keeper Noel Mooney had to make a brave blocking save on the edge of his box to deny Finbarr Heffernan.
When Paul Rose struck the outside of the post for Limerick early in the second half it seemed only a matter of time before the league leaders made the breakthrough. But United continued to frustrate, and their target David Lee was only inches away with a low drive in the 72nd minute.
With five minutes remaining a vital intervention by United midfielder Paul Smyth diverted Limerick substitute Robbie Kelleher's goalbound effort.
The home side seemed to have secured a point, but in the 87th minute Heffernan weaved his way through a congested penalty area to fire home the dramatic late winner.
