Sporting Fingal 2 - 2 Limerick FC

A last gasp equaliser from Stephen O’Flynn has forced yet another FAI Ford cup replay for Sporting Fingal.

Liam Buckley’s men must do what they did in the previous round against Mervue by overcoming a First Division side away from home in a replay if they’re to retain ambitions of retaining the silverware.

It all looked so rosy for a Fingal side dominant in possession when they held a two-nil lead after just 19 minutes. In truth, Limerick’s goal might have been pierced further before the break but that profligacy would be influential as it allowed the visitors a scent of a revival and so that proved to be the case in a dramatic second period.

Fingal got off to a dream start when Ronan Finn opened the scoring after just four minutes as he linked with Gary O’Neill who supplied the final ball for Finn to stroke home.

The home side were in control throughout the opening quarter as Limerick failed to maintain possession.

It wasn’t long before Fingal doubled their lead. This time a pin point crossfield pass from Shaun Williams found Conan Byrne free at the back post. Byrne coolly volleyed past Dave Ryan in the Limerick goal to make the score line 2-0 to the Northsiders with only 19 minutes gone.

Ten minutes later Shaun Maher had an excellent chance to make it three when he rose above the Limerick defence to head Byrne’s corner over the crossbar.

It was beginning to look ominous as O’Neill and Finn were causing problems for Pat Scully’s side but they could not extend their lead.

Limerick’s best opportunity came with ten minutes left in the first half when O’Brien gave away a free kick on the edge of the Sporting penalty area. Sean Kelly stepped up and put his free kick just inches over Darren Quigley’s cross bar.

Scully made a change at the break in the hope that his side could salvage something from the tie. Timmy Kiely made way for Shane Clarke up front.

The change seemed to inspire Limerick as within four minutes of the break they had pulled a goal back.

Pat Purcell connected with a corner from Shane Tracy to head powerfully past Quigley and into the top corner.

This goal gave the visitors the lift they needed and they started to cause Fingal more problems.

With half an hour left on the clock Bobby Ryan was forced off injured and was replaced by Garbhan Coughlan. He would give Limerick an extra spark going forward.

Williams came close to reinstating Fingal’s two goal lead when he spotted Ryan off his line. The midfielder attempted to catch the goalkeeper off guard but Ryan recovered superbly to tap the ball over the cross bar.

On 73 minutes Limerick were dealt a massive blow when Shane Tracy picked up his second yellow card of the day after a foul on Byrne.

O’Neill did make it three when he put the ball in the back of Ryan’s goal. However, he was adjudged to be offside and the goal was chalked off.

This would be crucial when with two minutes of extra time played Tierney put a menacing ball into the Fingal box.

Fingal failed to deal with the free kick and O’Flynn pounced on the loose ball to level the game and force a replay.

The two sides will now meet this Monday in Limerick to decide who will advance to the FAI Ford Cup quarter finals.

Sporting Fingal: Quigley, O’Brien (James 90 min), Maher, Browne, Frost, Byrne, Williams, McFaul, Finn (Kirby 89 min), Cahill (Eamon Zayed 82 min), O’Neill

Limerick FC: D Ryan, Kelly, Purcell, Stanley, Judge, Kiely (Clarke 45 min), B Ryan (Coughlan 61 min), Sullivan, Tracy, O’Flynn, Tierney

Referee: Damian Hancock