Limerick through to final with win over Saffrons

Antrim 0-17 Limerick 3-22

Antrim’s challenge for a Division 1B final spot never really materialised as Limerick dominated this final round clash in Belfast.

The Saffrons enjoyed an early lead but Limerick soon took control with Shane Dowling sending two close range frees past goalkeeper DD Quinn after 22 and 29 minutes.

2-12 to 0-8 ahead at the break, John Allen’s side netted again through substitute Sean Tobin and they kept the scoreboard ticking over to set up a divisional decider against Clare.

The winners of next weekend's Munster derby between Limerick and Clare will secure promotion to Division 1A and a crack at All-Ireland champions Kilkenny in the top flight semi-finals.

Antrim welcomed back Quinn and Eddie McCloskey after their successful All-Ireland club campaign with Loughgiel Shamrocks, who were honoured during the half-time break at Casement Park.

Still in the hunt for promotion before the throw-in, Jerry Wallace's home side got off to a promising start with points from Michael Herron and Neil McManus.

But Antrim were eclipsed by Limerick's power and pace over the remaining 65 minutes and the Shannonsiders' chief free-taker Conor Allis was in deadly accurate form, finishing with an impressive 0-11 haul.

Allen's charges recovered from four early wides as Dowling and David Breen helped them get back level at 0-3 apiece.

James Ryan, Allis and Dowling shunted them ahead at 0-7 to 0-5 by the midpoint of the first half, replying to a second score from Herron and a Shane McNaughton free.

Niall Moran won a disputed free which the hosts felt should have gone their way for overcarrying. Dowling, who gave the torrid time for the Antrim half-backs, stepped up to plant the ball beyond the reach of Quinn and his defenders on the line.

Paul Browne added a point just moments later and Allis tagged on a free to leave the Saffrons trailing by 1-10 to 0-5. McNaughton took his tally to 0-4 coming up to half-time, but a second stinging free from Dowling put a full 10 points between the sides at the turnaround.

Saffrons stopper Quinn pulled off a string of excellent saves - four in all - to keep some respectability to the scoreboard as Antrim struggled to stay in touch.

He could do little to prevent Tobin from breaking through for Limerick's third goal. It could have been goal number four at that stage, yet Dowling opted for a point when presented with a penalty opportunity just after the resumption.

Free-taker McNaughton replied with a couple of scores for a 3-17 to 0-12 scoreline, and goal scorer Tobin and McNaughton exchanged further points as Kevin Downes was introduced by Allen.

An Allis brace sandwiched a Barry McFall effort and with the game over as a contest, it was effectively shooting practice in the final ten minutes.

McNaughton (0-2) and PJ O'Connell added scores to Antrim's tally, with the Saffrons still able to draw encouragement from a campaign that saw them beat Wexford and Laois, run Offaly close and cement their place in Division 1B.

Allis, Tobin and Dowling finished off the scoring for the Limerick side with closing points, mostly from placed balls. Quinn, having earlier denied Breen, excelled again when saving a goal-bound shot from Graeme Mulcahy at point blank range.