Stephen O’Flynn struck for an injury time equaliser for Limerick to force Sporting Fingal into another replay against First Division opposition.

 

A draw in round three against Mervue United forced the holders into a trip to Galway, and now they must go to Jackman Park after letting a two goal lead slip against ten men.

 

The holders got off to the perfect start as Ronan Finn put them ahead within the opening four minutes. The silky midfielder was at the heart of the move that swept Sporting forward, and Gary O’Neill put him in to beat Davy Ryan with a low shot.

 

John Tierney was looking lively for Limerick and the winger worked space for himself, before firing just wide. He then drew a heroic tackle from Shaun Maher as the visitors grew into the game.

 

But their momentum was checked on 20 minutes as Fingal doubled their lead in style. Shaun Williams’ sweeping pass was deadly accurate and Conan Byrne met it with a right footed volley, that gave Ryan no chance.

 

After such a poor opening it would have easy for Limerick heads to dropped but despite a Williams effort flying over they went close again as Shane Tracy fired just wide with a curling free before half-time.

 

Pat Scully’s men weren’t lying down and they pulled a goal back within five minutes of the restart through Pat Purcell. Tracy’s corner caught Fingal asleep and the Limerick skipper headed in off the post.

 

That filled the Munstermen with confidence and although Ollie Cahill went close for Fingal, it was Limerick who looked more likely to score again.

 

They almost did as Maher gave away possession to Garbhan O’Callaghan, he fed fellow sub Shane Clarke and his shot was parried by Darren Quigley. Stephen O’Flynn couldn’t get to the rebound, but Tierney connected well and the ball flew just over.

 

Coughlan then had Quigley scrambling from long range, while the stopper had to be alert to stop a dipping Clarke effort as the pressure mounted.

 

Shaun Williams went close with a long ranger and Limerick’s chances seemed to recede further when Tracy got a second yellow for a challenge on Byrne.

 

But they kept believing, and a Tierney free caused havoc in the Fingal area and O’Flynn pounced.

 

Sporting Fingal: Quigley; O’Brien (Gannon 93) Maher, Browne, Frost; McFaul, Williams, Finn (Kirby 88); Byrne, O’Neill, Cahill (Zayed 83).

 

Limerick: D Ryan; Kelly, Stanley, Purcell, Judge; Kiely (Clarke HT), O’Sullivan, Tracy, Tierney; B Ryan (Coughlan 60), O’Flynn.

 

Refereee: D Hancock (Dublin).

 

However, he won't be able to call on Dave Rogers and Thomas Heary as both players are cup-tied. But the Munster side still have plenty of top class players who can match their top flight opponents.