The SSE Airtricity League First Division season is not even a month old, but Limerick FC have already opened up a six-point gap at the top of the table.
Martin Russell’s stylish team have scored 20 goals in four matches and Athlone Town found out precisely why the Treaty side are very much the team to beat last Saturday.
Limerick eventually defeated Athlone 0-5 at Lissywollen with Paudie O’Connor, Robbie Williams, John O’Flynn, Lee Lynch, and skipper Shane Duggan all scoring.
Athlone battled in the first quarter, but when O’Connor netted in the 26th minute the Midlanders were in deep trouble from then on. Limerick boss Russell was content with his team’s latest emphatic success: “We were pleased,” Russell admitted. “People were saying keep a clean sheet so that was a positive.
“It could have been a difficult night, the pitch was difficult, the wind and rain were difficult so the lads had to deal with that. All in all the lads put in a professional performance. It is early yet, there are a lot more points to play for.”
Athlone face a tricky assignment away to UCD on Friday as the Students have won two of their opening four contests.
The Midlanders have only registered one point from three so the visitors will be anxious to avoid defeat in the capital.
