Athlone undone by three goals from corner kicks

A failure to defend from set-pieces proved costly for Athlone Town as Limerick FC made the most of the nine corner kicks they earned to win at Jackman Park on Friday night last. Although the visitors were just two behind in the corner count, it was Pat Scully's side that took full advantage from those earned, scoring their three goals from flag pole deliveries. A Noel McGee goal just before the hour mark reduced the deficit to a single score but the Town were unable to press on for an equaliser and ended their away campaign for 2011 with a defeat as Limerick maintained their push for promotion. The early stages of the opening half contained little in the way of goalmouth action with Athlone looking comfortable in what could be their last visit to Jackman Park, as the home side are set to shortly move back to their spiritual home at the Markets Field. Ironically, in view of what was to happen later, the main threat from the visitors came from corner kicks with the first of five first half corners arriving after just three minutes. However Roy King failed to take advantage as he blasted the ball over the bar. Two further corners followed in the next 8 minutes with a further chance falling to Mark Sherlock midway through the half. The former St Peter's ace was winning a lot of possession on the left and together with McGee was posing a serious threat to the home defence. Both linked up on 26 minutes on the left edge of the penalty area but Sherlock missed the opportunity to open the scoring when he scooped the ball wide of the far post. Athlone suffered a blow midway through the half when central defender Mark Walshe was forced off with a groin injury as Paul Danaher then joined the action against his old club. The deadlock was broken after half an hour when Limerick made the most of their first corner of the game. Rory Gaffney sent the ball into the danger zone and home captain Pat Purcell timed his run to perfection to head home at the far post. It was rough justice on Mike Kerley's men who had shaded the opening exchanges only to be undone by a home sucker punch. From Limerick's second corner kick after 37 minutes Barry Sheedy's shot was saved by Michael Schlingermann but, four minutes from the half-time break, Limerick stretched their lead from their final corner of the half. Again Gaffney took responsibility with the delivery and although the Town defence this time cleared the danger Jeffrey Judge was lurking on the edge of the penalty area and his pile driver flew into the roof of the net past the stranded keeper's left. Tommy Barrett came close to making the second half a little more interesting when he pushed forward for a King corner but his headed effort just cleared the post in stoppage time at the end of the opening half. Barrett was one of a number of former Limerick players returning to the Treaty city, where current Town boss Mike Kerley had two spells in charge earlier in his managerial career. A half-time reshuffle by Kerley saw Garry Higgins replace King as Athlone adopted a more positive attitude on the resumption of play. The move almost paid off as the visitors were back in contention with a goal after 58 minutes but could not follow up with an equaliser. Sherlock and Higgins took turns to partner McGee in attack and suddenly the away side's threat up front looked more potent. Leading up to the goal, Athlone had a couple of chances as McGee's shot on the turn from Sherlock's pass just drifted wide of the post with McGee then returning the favour to set up his strike partner who was inches away from connecting with the inviting through ball. Justice was finally done when the deficit was reduced when Sherlock got the better of Corie Treacy down the right and his low cross from the end line was finished to the net from close range by top scorer McGee. Athlone now went in search of an equaliser and they certainly deserved better than defeat as they gave the home side an anxious time as the half progressed. Substitute Higgins had a shot saved but chances thereafter proved to be at a premium as Limerick hung on grimly to their slender lead. Athlone tried hard to grab an equaliser but never seriously troubled home keeper Barry Ryan with Kevin Williamson having the last chance for the visitors when he fired a long range effort wide after 84 minutes. As full-time approached, the Town were still in contention for a share of the spoils but the home side sealed victory with a third goal three minutes from full-time. True to form the third home score came from another corner after Gaffney's cross from the right was almost forced over the goal-line only for Athlone to clear the ball behind. Corie Treacy made up for his earlier defensive error when he rushed in to rifle Gaffney's delivery to the net, completing the scoring for a relieved Limerick side. Former Mervue player Gaffney was in line for the man of the match award with his contribution to all three home goals. Niall Boland, Athlone's goal hero from the previous weekend, was given a late run out when he replaced Stephen Relihan for the closing minutes but the talented youngster was unable to make another instant impact as the Town's challenge faded. Three minutes of additional time were not enough to alter the final score as Athlone ended their final away game of 2011 with a defeat. Ultimately their inability to clear the danger from corner kicks proved the difference as the home side's well rehearsed dead ball routines paved the way for a third Limerick win over Athlone this season. Limerick FC: Barry Ryan, Andrew Bhandarkar, John Frost, Pat Purcell, Corie Treacy, Joe Gamble, Jeffrey Judge, Rory Gaffney, Stephen O'Flynn (Peter Hynes 65m), Barry Sheedy (Sean Brosnan 80), David O'Leary (Shane Tracy 71). Athlone Town: Michael Schlingermann, Damien Rushe, Jamie Carr, Mark Walshe (Paul Danaher 22), Tommy Barrett, Roy King (Garry Higgins h/t), Jason Hughes, Stephen Relihan (Niall Boland 87), Mark Sherlock, Kevin Williamson, Noel McGee. Referee: Keith Callanan (Cork.