After 22 games of either loose or draw, the Shannonsiders finally registered their first win of the season on the day that Patrick made his debut after putting pen to paper last week.
The 28-year-old previously played with Queens Park Rangers, Swindon Town, Cluj in Romania and Tamworth back in England, among others, with his most recent club being Roi Et United in Thailand.Kanyuka arrived on Shannonside during the past month and played in the friendly match against MK Dons, earning himself a contract until the end of this season.
“I’m excited. It’s my first time in Ireland. I’ve been here for about two weeks and I like what I see regarding the facilities, the club, the players and Limerick,” Patrick told LimerickFC.ie.“There is a young team here and regarding the facilities they have a new stadium so the future looks bright for the club.
“MK Dons was my first game since I came back from Thailand. It was kind of different to Thai football so I’m adapting to the physical game here. It was a good test.”
Limerick struck the front past the midway point of the first half when Faherty fired to the roof of the net after being set up by Lee-J Lynch.
The night got better for the Shannonsiders – searching for their first league win of the year at the 22nd attempt – as they doubled their advantage with a bullet close-range header from Faherty after Ian Turner’s delivery.Sligo made two changes at the break, and after pressing for a way back into the game they found one before the hour-mark when former Limerick man Patrick Nzuzi provided the cross for debutant Rob Lehane to score.
But Limerick restored their two-goal cushion within eight minutes when Lynch won possession and found Faherty who in turn fed Clarke, the hard-working forward’s shot deflecting off ex-Blue Jason Hughes and going over ‘keeper Richard Brush. However, much of the 980 in attendance were forced to endure a nervy finish after Gary Armstrong brought the Bit O’ Red back within one with 12 minutes remaining. And they had Shane Tracy to thank for seeing them through after his goal-line clearance from Raffaele Cretaro, as Martin Russell’s side moved within seven points of The Showgrounds club who occupy the playoff place.