Limerick hang on to preserve record

Unbeaten Limerick were not over-impressive as they held on to beat Dublin in a game ruined by the wind at Kilmallock. Both sides had more wides than scores, although the Limerick management did not blame the conditions for the inaccuracy of many of their players.

Limerick had to make a late change when Pa Carey went down with 'flu and Alan Browne was brought in to full back and had a solid game.

The one happy aspect from a Liemrick viewpoint was the return to the side after lengthy injury of Damian Quigley. Coming on with eight minutes remaining, Quigley scored a delightful point with his first touch. It was also a crucial score as it left Limerick 0-11 to 0-6 in front as they defended heroically against a Dublin side which finished with a flourish.

Dublin were rewarded with the game's only goal two minutes from the end when Eamonn Morrissey reacted speedily to a half chance to beat Joe Quaid.

However, it was a question of too little too late for the Dubliners who possible deserved a better result because they enjoyed the greater amount of possession, particularly in the second half.

Limerick began in style with a superb point from a sideline cut from 40 metres by Mike Houlihan and they were three points in front before Dublin opened their scoring after 22 minutes with a point from Tomas McGrane.

Further Limerick points by James Moran, Dave Hennessy and Mike Galligan had the home side 0-6 to 01 in front, but Conor McCann and McGrane had Dublin points to leave Limerick only three points in front, 0-6 to 0-3, at the interval.

Limerick began the second half impressively with Gary Kirby and TJ Ryan adding points before Conor McCann and Kirby exchanged points.

Then came the Dublin revival, with Barry O'Sullivan getting a point to leave only four between the sides. That situation remained after Kirby and McGrane exchanged points. Quigley's point was a major psychological boost for Limerick, who held out despite the late Dublin goal.

Stephen MacDonagh was superb at corner back for Limerick and Dave Clarke aand Clem Smith also did well in a compact defence that has conceded only two goals in the league to date. Mike Houlihan and Anthony Carmody were steady in midfield, but the forward line once again disappointed.

The Dublin defence was prone to conceding frees, but Derek McMullen, John Finnegan and Liam Walsh all impressed. Up front, the forwards shot too many wides as a unit, but their display suggests that they will be a power to be reckoned with as the year progresses.

Limerick: J Quaid; S MacDonagh, A Browne, T O'Brien; D Clarke, J Foley, C Smith; M Houlihan (0-1), A Carmody (0-1); J Moran (0-1), O Moran, M Galligan (0-1); TJ Ryan (0-1), G Kirby (0-4), D Hennessy (0-1). Subs: S O'Neill for Hennessy (half time); M Foley for T O'Brien (45 mins); D Quigley (0-1) for Galligan (52 mins).

Dublin: B McLoughlin; J Finnegan, S Power, D McMullen; D McLoughlin, L Walsh, P Brady; C Ring, S Perkins; S Martin, B O'Sullivan (0-1), D Sweeney, C McCann (0-2), E Morrissey (1-0), T McGrane (0-3). Subs: N Butler for McGrane; J Brennan for Ring. Referee: J McDonnell (Tipperary).