Keating and Fitzgerald strike early for Limerick

Limerick 2-13 Sligo 0-13

A perfect start, that yielded five points in as many minutes, followed by two opportunist goals by Eoin Keating and Conor Fitzgerald, laid the foundations for Limerick's triumph.

Before garnering the two precious points on offer, however, Limerick had to withstand a strong second-half challenge from injury-stricken Sligo, short skipper Eamon O'Hara.

With skilful attacking players Eoin Keating and Stephen Kelly returning to the side in style, it was all systems go for Limerick from the off and Sligo never really knew what hit them as Limerick scorched into a five-point lead before full-forward Seán Davey finally broke Sligo's duck with a point from a free in the 11th minute. Limerick were by far the more impressive side in the opening half as a disjointed Sligo outfit failed dismally to piece their game together. John Quane dominated midfield and the platform was formed for the stylish Limerick forwards to unleash their skills. Sligo, with Davey kicking accurately, did manage to claw their way back to within two points coming up to half-time, but then Limerick struck for a crucial goal when Keating knocked the ball over the line after goalkeeper Philip Green got his hand to an intended pass from Micheál Reidy.

Keating's goal gave the home side a half-time cushion of 1-7 to 0-5 and when Fitzgerald crashed home a rebound for Limerick's second goal a minute after the resumption, it appeared to be curtains for Sligo.

But following wholesale switches and the introduction of a number of substitutes, Sligo courageously changed the course of the game. Davey, Mark Breheny and Dessie Sloyne were sparkling figures as Sligo mounted a great comeback.

Limerick appeared to have lost their zest as Sligo came within four points of them in the 63rd minute following a series of eye-catching attacking movements which culminated in some glorious scores. Both sides were reduced to 14 men following the dismissals of Keating and Sligo midfielder Brendan Egan before a spectacular point by centre-back Stephen Lavin lifted the siege for Limerick and propelled them to victory, which was sealed by two late points by substitute Johnny Murphy and Stephen Kelly.

Scorers: Limerick: E. Keating, C. Fitzgerald 1-1 each, M. Gavin 0-5 (0-4 frees), S. Kelly 0-3, M. Reidy, S. Lavin, J. Murphy (free) 0-1 each.

Sligo S. Davey 0-5 (0-4 frees), M. Breheny 0-3, D. Sloyne, T. Taylor 0-2 each, D. Colleary 0-1.

LIMERICK: S. Kelly; T. Stack, D. Sheehy, J. McCarthy; P. Browne, S. Lavin, C. Mullane; J. Quane, J. Galvin; M. Crowley, M. Gavin, S. Kelly; C. Fitzgerald, E. Keating, M. Reidy. Subs: M. O'Riordan for Stack (knee injury), S. Lucey for McCarthy, J. Murphy for Reidy, M. O'Brien for Gavin, A. Lane for Browne.

SLIGO: P. Green; P. Naughton, B. Phillip, R. Donovan; D. Durkin, N. McGuire, J. Martin; T. Taylor, B. Egan; C. O'Neill, M. Breheny, J. McPartland; D. Tiernan, S. Davey, J. Davey. Subs: D. Sloyne for McPartland, M. Langan for O'Neill, D. Colleary for Tiernan, G. McGowan for J. Davey, P. Davey for Durkin, N. Clancy for Taylor.

Referee: P. Daly (Westmeath).