Crucial Breen goal seals it for Limerick

Limerick 1-19 Antrim 0-19

David Breen’s 56th-minute goal proved crucial for Limerick as they saw off Antrim’s challenge at the Gaelic Grounds this afternoon.

The Saffrons were in flying form in the first half with Neil McManus hitting eight points (five frees) on the way to a 0-13 to 0-8 interval lead.

Limerick goalkeeper Aaron Murphy came to his side’s rescue when tipping over a 32nd minute penalty effort from the in-form McManus.

Declan Hannon struck four unanswered points to kickstart Limerick’s second half drive. The wing forward's accuracy was important - he finished with a haul of 0-9.

Antrim were a single point ahead when Breen claimed the game’s only goal and John Allen’s men finished strongly with four more points.

The Glensmen will regret that they managed only two points from that first half penalty and a last minute 21-yard free. On both occasions the efforts by McManus were deflected over for points.

It was all square at 0-4 each after 18 minutes with Allen's charges in front twice in that lacklustre opening.

McManus tacked on another point early in the second half but then that purple patch by Hannon hauled Limerick back.

Both he and McManus then pointed frees followed by a magnificent sideline point from 40 yards by Hannon to leave only one between them.

Limerick's Seamus Hickey raced through the Antrim defence but had to settle for point that tied it up again at 0-15 each.

Substitute Paddy Doherty edged Antrim back in front with a well-taken point but substitute Breen got in for the only goal of the game.

His initial shot was only partially saved by Ryan McGarry and Breen flashed the second chance to an empty net to make it 1-15 to 0-17.

Once in front Limerick never relinquished their grip with James Ryan, Hannon from halfway, Paul Browne and Hickey all striking points.

Karl Stewart, PJ O'Connell and McManus got the late scores for an Antrim side who will cause many problems for Division 1B sides during the campaign.

Scorers - Limerick: D Hannon 0-9 (0-5f , 0-1 sl), S Hickey 0-4, D Breen 1-0, S Dowling, P Browne 0-2 each, J Ryan, G Mulcahy 0-1 each

Antrim: N McManus 0-11 (0-8f), S Beattie 0-2, C Carson, E McCloskey, S McNaughton, P Doherty, PJ O'Connell, K Stewart 0-1 each

LIMERICK: A Murphy; S Walsh, R McCarthy, T Condon; W McNamara, D O'Grady, G O'Mahony; J Ryan, P O'Brien; D Hannon, S Hickey, P Browne; G Mulcahy, K Downes, S Dowling.

Subs used: D Breen for O'Brien (half-time), S Tobin for Downes (56 mins), N Moran for Dowling (61), A Breen for Mulcahy (66).

ANTRIM: R McGarry; A Graffin, C Carson, B McFall; S McCrory, N McAuley, C McKinley; M Donnelly, C Laverty; S Beattie, K Stewart, E McCloskey; N McManus, KB McShane, S McNaughton.

Subs used: M Gettens McFall (32 mins), P Doherty for McShane, C McFall for Beattie (both 46), PJ O'Connell for Laverty (52), D McClean for McCloskey (60).

Referee Johnny Ryan (Tipperary)