Dundalk leapfrog Athlone - February 16,
2001
Dundalk 0 Limerick 0
The Eircom League first division leadership changed hands again last night - for the third time this week - after Dundalk and Limerick played out a dreary scoreless draw at Oriel.
The result saw Dundalk back on top on goal difference, but instead of one point it should have been three as the home side had the ball for threequarters of the match.
But they couldn't break down a well organised Limerick defence in which Derek Whyte and Ray O'Halloran were cool and competent.
Dundalk had to wait until just before half time for their first real chance on goal, when Donal Broughan's shot shaved an upright.
The same player brought the best out of Limerick 'keeper Kevin Fitzpatrick with a firm header from a David Crawley free on 50 minutes.
Unfortunately for Dundalk, top scorer Martin Reilly didn't have his shooting boots on and missed a couple of easy chances.
Limerick's Oran Weldrick got a free kick on target in the final minutes, but 'keeper John Connolly, who had hardly touched the ball up to hen, was equal to it.
Dundalk: Connolly, Hill, Crawley, Broughan, Gallogley, Dunne, O'Dowd, M Reilly, Ryan, Hoey, Mullen,
Subs: Flanagan for O'Dowd 60, Byrne for Mullen 65, A Reilly for Broughan 70
Limerick: Fitzpatrick, Dunphy, Finucane, O'Halloran, D Whyte, J Whyte, Hughes, Ryan, Tobin, McCarthy, Weldrick
Subs: Flaherty for Tobin 80, O'Sullivan for McCarthy 85
Referee: D McKeon (Dublin)