Limerick hit six as Athlone suffer humiliating defeat

Athlone Town's deteriorating form continued last Friday when they slumped to a humiliating 6-1 defeat at the hands of mid-table Limerick at Jackman Park. The Town have now failed to win any of their last 13 league games and have managed just two wins from the last 24 matches in all competitions. With just eight games now remaining in the First Division, Athlone badly need to rediscover some sort of positive form if they are to avoid the end of season battle to avoid finishing bottom of the table and entering a relegation play-off. Although Athlone Town did represent particularly meek opponents on the night, the home side's performance was superb. Limerick's fifth goal in the 71st minute was a case in point. A wonderful series of passes bewildered the Athlone defence before the ball was worked carefully to John Tierney, who crossed to his strike partner and hat-trick hero Stephen O'Flynn, and the centre-forward belted home a brilliant goal. With Jason Hughes revelling in his right-back role, Daryl Kavanagh and Shane Treacy raiding on the wings, Conor Molan shoring up the defence, Bobby Tier working diligently in midfield, and John Tierney and Stephen O'Flynn developing a serious partnership up front, the only real problem for Limerick is that the season will come to an end too early for Pat Scully's developing team. Limerick made life distinctly uncomfortable for Athlone right from the off and took the lead in the 18th minute. Athlone's Gary Murphy made the mistake of dithering on the ball deep inside his own half, the midfielder playing a dangerous cross-field ball that Shane Treacy intercepted. His delivery found Daryl Kavanagh on the right-hand side of the box and Kavanagh fired a blistering low shot across the face of goal and into the bottom left-hand corner. Five minutes later, after a brief Athlone rally, Limerick made it 2-0. Luke Hardy fouled Stephen O'Flynn on the edge of the box and up stepped Shane Treacy to smash a low shot through the wall and past a bewildered Alex O'Reilly. The Blues made it 3-0 in the 33rd minute when John Tierney laid a ball off to Kavanagh on the right flank. Kavanagh then beat Robbie Hamm before crossing to the unmarked O'Flynn who headed home. Austin Skelly drew two fine saves from Limerick's Dave Ryan in the 35th minute and 44th minute as a lack of concentration late in the opening half almost cost the home side. Athlone were forced to change their 'keeper during the half-time interval, with the recently signed Barry Andrews coming on for Alex O'Reilly, who had been doubtful prior to the game with a hamstring problem. A minute into the second half, Athlone grabbed an encouraging goal when the Limerick defence went to sleep and Gary Murphy was allowed to roll a ball across the face of goal to an unmarked David O'Connor, who scored with ease. The concession of that goal helped to concentrate the minds of the Limerick lads once more and in the 54th minute they reclaimed their three-goal advantage. Even though John Tierney rode a couple of heavy challenges before blasting home a goal, referee Keith Callinan made a strange decision in that he called the play back, gave Athlone's Robbie Hamm a red card and awarded Limerick a penalty which Shane Treacy expertly converted. John Tierney, who was superb on the night, drew a great save from Andrews in the 58th minute, while the Athlone 'keeper made another fine stop to deny Wayne Colbert three minutes later. Following a brilliant Limerick move, O'Flynn half-volleyed home his second goal of the night in the 71st following John Tierney's pinpoint cross. In the 74th minute, Athlone 'keeper Andrews was penalised for handling the ball outside the area, an infraction which presented Limerick with a free kick in a very dangerous position just outside the area. Both O'Flynn and Treacy were chasing hat-tricks and as a result both players wanted to take the tantalising free-kick. O'Flynn won the argument, grabbed the ball and curled a wonderful left-footed shot around the wall and into Andrews' top right-hand corner to make it 6-1. Limerick FC: Dave Ryan; Jason Hughes, Martin Deady, Conor Molan, Gavin Roche, Bobby Tier, Daryl Kavanagh, Shane Treacy, Stephen O'Flynn, John Tierney, Thomas Lyons. Subs: Wayne Colbert for Lyons (52 mins), John Boyle for Kavanagh (72), Robbie Kelliher for Tierney (76). Athlone Town: Alex O'Reilly; Robbie Hamm, David Tyrell, Luke Hardy, Des Hope, Anthony Hayes, Gary Murphy, Stephen Place, Austin Skelly, Robbie Benson, David O'Connor. Subs: Niall O'Reilly for Hardy (39 mins), Barry Andrews for Alex O'Reilly (45), Noel McGee for Austin Skelly (72). Referee: Keith Callinan (Cork).