FERMANAGH gave themselves a confidence boost for next Sunday's All-Ireland B final when they trounced Limerick by 2-14 to 0-4 at Newcastlewest.

Two goals in as many minutes just before the interval, scored by Kieran Donnelly and Niall Rooney, put Fermanagh on the road to victory.

Kilkenny came close to taking their first points of the league at Clara in their game against Waterford. Four minutes from the end, substitute Paul Kearney put the home team 2-5 to 1-7 in front. But Waterford finished strongly against the gale and scores from Michael Downey (2) and Niall Geary earned them a 1-10 to 2-5 win.

Tipperary, inspired by full-forward Brian Burke, who scored 1-4, comprehensively swept aside the challenge of a disappointing London outfit by 2-13 to 0-7 at Semple Stadium.