Limerick through to next phase

Antrim 1-15 Limerick 3-21

Limerick enjoyed a supreme second half as they hit 3-10 against the Antrim defence at Casement Park to secure a place in the next phase.

Goals from half forwards John Paul Sheahan and Donnacha Sheehan and midfielder Pat Tobin put distance between the sides after the Shannonsiders took in half time just three points in front, 0-11 to 0-8.

Five early frees from wing forward Paul O’Grady added to a sole Andrew O’Shaughnessy effort on nine minutes saw the Shannonsiders hold a 0-6 to 0-3 supremacy after the first quarter-of-an-hour, with Liam Watson and Paddy Richmond hitting the Antrim scores.

By the 25th minute, Patrickswell clubman O’Grady had tallied up seven placed balls, with Donie Ryan also on the score sheet. Points from Ciaran Heron and Watson (0-3) kept the Saffrons in touch, with Jim Connolly getting in on the act in stoppage time.

The game opened up after the break, as seven minutes in, Sheahan struck for his goal from a hand pass from Donnacha Sheehan for a 1-12 to 0-10 lead. Six minutes later Donnacha Sheehan netted past Antrim goalkeeper Damien Quinn

Points from Michael Heron, Watson, who ended with 1-7, and Brian McFall were cancelled out by a third Limerick goal from Tobin, who ghosted onto an O’Shaughnessy ball to slam home.

The Saffrons reduced the deficit with a Watson goal at the death, but it was Limerick who ensured that the three teams progressing from Division 1B are all from Munster, with a plus six points difference seeing them above a vanquished Offaly.