Na Piarsaigh duo Kevin Downes and Shane Dowling proved their worth to Limerick with 1-8 between them as the Shannonsiders secured a first Allianz hurling league semi-final place in a decade.

The size of the task interim manager Paul Earley and his successor face in ressurecting Roscommon football was plain to see at Parnell Park tonight as they were hammered 3-20 to 0-7 by an unforgiving Dublin side.