Limerick 0 Manchester C 4:DENIS SUAREZ was the main star as the English Premier League champions, Manchester City, turned on the style at Thomond Park last night a week before they play Chelsea in the Community Shield final.
The occasion was marred for Limerick by an injury to goalkeeper Dave Ryan, who was stretchered off and is likely to miss tonight’s EA Sports Cup semi-final against Shamrock Rovers.
The injury came a minute before the interval following a defensive lapse by Shane Guthrie, which paved the way for City’s third goal.
It was a second goal in as many minutes.
Limerick manager Pat Scully fielded his top side for the first 38 minutes when he withdrew Pat Purcell as the first of a plethora of substitutions with tonight’s big game in mind.
City manager Roberto Mancini tried out a 3-5-2 combination and, not surprisingly, they completely dominated the first half of the match with a slick brand of football.
Brave defending kept the visitors out until the 33rd minute when James Milner nutmegged Shane Treacy and set up Edin Dzeko, whose shot went in off the post.
A superb effort by Suarez thundered off the butt of the upright but after 43 minutes Suarez created the chance for Dedryck Boyata, who sidefooted past Ryan, who was injured as Dzeko capitalised on the defensive lapse.
Limerick had a let-off after 64 minutes when Luca Scapuzzi fired wide from six yards.
But City tacked on a fourth when substitute Harry Bunn hit the post and the ball broke to Scapuzzi who beat Barry Ryan – the third of Limerick goalkeepers to play a part.
It was the 21st anniversary of City’s previous visit to Limerick and it was the first of nine such games in as many years which have been sanctioned for Limerick.
MANCHESTER CITY: Pantillimon, McGivern, Lescott, Clichy, Boyata, Nasri (Scapuzzi, 32 mins), Milner, Evans, Suarez, Santa Cruz, Dzeko. Subs not used: Scapuzzi, Bunn, Wabara, Mancini, Facey.
LIMERICK FC: Ryan (Cusack, 44 mins), S Tracy, C Treacy, Purcell (Guthrie, 38 mins), Kluciar, McGann, Judge, Gamble, Bradley, Shehan, Foley. Subs not used: Cusack, Guthrie, Kelly, Coughlan, Brosnan, Sheedy, McGrath. Cowpar, Whitehead, Barry Ryan, Behan.
Referee: A Buttimer (Cork).
