Finn Harps were denied a second away win in a week as Rodrigo Tosi’s 72nd minute header secured Limerick a share of the spoils at Markets Field.
Limerick FC 1 Finn Harps 1
Sean Houston’s third goal in as many games had given Harps the lead in the first half, but Harps didn’t build on the midfielder’s 25th minute opener and they were pegged back when Brazilian Tosi headed home.
Lee-J Lynch and Ian Turner combined on the right and Turner’s cross was nodded in by Tosi, as the striker – who scored a hat-trick in Limerick’s opening day 5-1 win over Sligo – made no mistake.
Paddy McCourt returned to the Harps team with Jonny Bonner dropping to the bench as Harps sought to bag a second win this week, following a 2-1 win at St Patrick’s Athletic on Monday night.
Limerick lost back-to-back games against Dundalk and Bohemians in their last two outings and the natives were restless today by the Shannon.
The hosts could have taken an early lead, but Tosi headed wide after getting on the end of a Stephen Kenny cross.
McCourt was pulling the strings to good effect for Harps and it was Ollie Horgan’s men who took the lead.
Goalkeeper Freddy Hall made a mess of Sean Kelly’s backpass. Hall’s footwork let him down and he played the ball straight to Houston, who fired into the net from 15 yards.
Dean Clarke riffled wide as Limerick turned the screw in the second half.
Gallagher had kept Harps in front, but he was finally beaten as Tosi rose to meet Turner’s cross, just after Turner was brought on for Kenny.
Right at the end, Robbie Williams headed off the Harps crossbar and referee John McLoughlin waved play-on when Williams appeared to have been pulled down in the area.
Limerick: Freddy Hall; Shaun Kelly, Tony Whitehead, Robbie Williams, Tommy Robson; Bastien Hery (Paul O’Conor, 70), Shane Duggan; Stephen Kenny (Ian Turner, 70), Chris Mulhall (Lee-J Lynch, 60) Dean Clarke; Rodrigo Tosi.
Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher; Damien McNulty, Killian Cantwell, Ciaran Coll, Gareth Harkin; Ciaran O’Connor (Eddie Dssane, 78), Paddy McCourt (Barry Molloy, 60), Sean Houston (Packie Malley, 90), Ethan Boyle, Caolan McAleer; Danny Morrissey.
Referee: John McLoughlin.
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