Limerick maintain top spot

Limerick maintained their place at the top of Division 4 of the Allianz Football League this afternoon, while there were wins also for Tipperary, Offaly and Clare/Carlow this afternoon.

Referee Raymond McBrien was the centre of attention in Ruislip as a controversial decision late on ensured London were denied of a late equaliser, as Limerick prevailed by 1-9 to 1-8.

The Exiles felt aggrieved after Mark Gottsche was told to retake a late 45 metre kick, which the Galway native had initially placed over the cross-bar.

The Tir Chonaill Gaels clubman failed to slot the ball over the cross-bar from his second attempt, with Limerick holding out to take victory.

The visitors led by 1-7 to 1-2 at half-time, with John Riordan netting a 14th minute goal for Limerick.

Lloyd Colfer bagged a penalty goal to keep London in touch and they worked hard in the second half, holding Limerick to just two points, but fell so agonisingly short in the end.

Barry Grogan fired 2-3 including two first half goals as Tipperary powered to a 2-15 to 0-14 win over Leitrim at Semple Stadium.

The hosts were in firm control in the opening half and led by 2-10 to 0-4 at half-time, but Leitrim staged a strong comeback on the restart.

Aided by sharp-shooter Emlyn Mulligan (0-6), Leitrim launched a firm assault on the restart, with eight players on target.

However, Tipperary had done just enough to hold out for a seven-point win.

Waterford failed to make home advantage count as Offaly claimed a 2-14 to 1-11 win over the hosts at the WIT Sports Campus in Carriganore.

Offaly led by 0-9 to 0-8 at the break, after a Graham Guilfoyle put the visitors ahead for the first time in this game just before the interval.

Waterford took the lead in the 42nd minute thanks to their only goal of the contest, but wind assisted Offaly continued to cause the Deise problems.

Offaly led by 0-14 to 1-10 entering the closing 10 minutes, but late goals from Brian Connor and Graham Guilfoyle ensured a six-point Offaly win.

Clare also claimed an away victory thanks to a 1-12 to 0-9 win over Carlow at Dr. Cullen Park.

The visitors led by 1-7 to 0-6 at half-time, with Clare's goal coming just before the break from ?

Little separated the sides during a low-scoring second half, but Clare done enough to hold out for victory, with Carlow reduced to 14 men following the dismissal of Brendan Murphy on a second yellow card in the 57th minute.