Ciaran Kilduff
Rovers advanced to the final to meet Drogheda Utd on 22nd September with a deserved win over a battling Limerick side. A first-half goal from Sean Gannon followed by a brace from Ciaran Kilduff was rounded off by a late Billy Dennehy strike.
On a calm and mild evening in Tallaght Stadium the game took a while to get going and despite some good possession the Hoops couldn't create an opening of note in the first 20 minutes. Colin Hawkins was called on to block a shot from Denis Behan as he turned inside the box on the right.
 [GOAL 1:0 - 24th min.] A clearance from 'keeper Pieterse was headed on by Kilduff into the path of Brennan and he raced into the area to square the ball for the unmarked Sean Gannon and he coolly shot past Ryan for a goal of real quality.
McCormack found Stewart in space at the edge of the area on 28 minutes but his shot on the turn went over the bar. Billy Dennehy then shot wide from the left-hand side of the box before Gannon just failed to pick out Kilduff in the area with a low cross.
Ken Oman was harshly booked for a foul Foley on 33 minutes but Bradley fired the free-kick over the bar. A free-kick by Tracy after 36 minutes caused the Rovers defence a lot of problems but McOrmack finally hacked the ball clear. A good run by Kilduff on 38 minutes forced a corner off Purcell and the resultant kick from Brennan saw Judge slice his attempted clearance and Ryan had to react quickly to prevent a bizarre own-goal.
Kilduff was in the action again in the 41st minute when Purcell denied him a header on goal and then he saw his shot blocked in the box following a lay-off from Ken Oman. The last action of the half saw Pieterse race off his line to deny Behan after Bradley's quick free-kick had opened up the Hoops defence.
The start of the second period saw Dennehy involved in a big shout for a penalty as it looked like he was clipped from behind in the box and then Stewart had a shot from the left-hand side of the area but the angle was too tight. Dennehy then shot wide following a good passing movement in the 62nd minute.
[GOAL 2:0 - 66th min.] Rovers increased their lead with another quality goal when Oman found Dennehy on the left and he whipped in a cross in front of goal and Kilduff reacted quickest to meet the ball and plant it high into the corner of the net.
[GOAL 3:0 - 78th min.] Pieterse held on to sub Gaffney's cross on 70 minutes and he was involved again on 78 minutes when he bowled the ball out to sub O'Neill on the right and he knocked a ball over the last defender for Kilduff to run on to. Defender Purcell looked like he had it covered but hesitency between him and 'keeper Ryan allowed Kilduff to nip in and steal the ball and score from close range.
[GOAL 3:1 - 86th min.] Limerick kept going and pushed men forward and they were rewarded on 86 minutes when Jeffrey Judge curled a fine shot past Pieterse from the edge of the area into the corner of the net.
[GOAL 4:1 - 90+2 min.] The Hoops finished off a good nights work when Kilduff turned well and slipped the ball in for Dennehy on the right-hand side of the box and he advanced to steer his shot past Ryan and into the net.
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