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.
Unity is Power, Power if shared is Strength, Limerick 37 serving the Community of Limerick.
Yeah we were without 10 first team players thro suspension and mostly injuries. Finbarr Heffernan (who almost scored for us!) was playing with a broken arm, we had almost all out Under 21 squad playing for us. What a brave battle! They did really well.
Good to chat to the 2 Lims fans too. More of u come the next time and make it an overnighter. Monaghan is a good laugh for a nite out.
This was a huge win. Bigger than Monday night.
We didn't deserve it. We didn't look like ever really winning it but late winners away from home are the kind of results that win promotion.
Despite dominating the first half the only clearcut chance fell to Monaghan and Noel Mooney got out quickly to save.
The 2nd half was more even and the game was heading for a certain and frustrating scoreless draw until Heff came up with a bit of magic in the box. He had been our best player all night by a country mile.
Not a great team performance but great team spirit, win to will and you could see what it meant at the end.
5 points clear at the top, quarter finals of the league cup and just knocked the holders and league leaders out of the cup. Frankly the break couldn't have come at a worse time.
Credit to Monaghan too - they fought like tigers, defended very well and were difficult to break down and certainly didn't deserve to lose.
I can only imagine what the news of Heff's winner did to both sets of fans in Terryland.
ya another great win for the blues,the defence has been superb so far this season which is resulting in us getting a lot of one nil wins,lets hope that this form continues.what does everybody think the main difference has been this season,is it down to the new players or has noel altered his tactics???
Pretty fair assessment gspain. 1-0 wins like that are what could win you the title.
Proud of our lads - 7 local lads on the pitch at the final whistle, most of whom are Under-21, and they made the league leaders look ordinary (I don't mean that in an offensive way, just that Limerick looked no better than any other team that have come to CHP this season). Just gutted the way it ended, but that's football!
John Lester's level of fitness (or lack of it) was shocking! Great player, loads of ability, but he had to get his breath after a 10 yard run.
You knew better than to say that in person to me didnt ya!!Originally Posted by monutdfc
anyone know what the team was?
you gowl!
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