Armagh 0-10 Limerick 0-9: Armagh gained their place in the last four of the league title race in Crossmaglen yesterday. But it was perhaps Limerick manager Liam Kearns who derived rather more comfort from the encounter.
Joe Kernan's side made it six wins on the trot to secure a semi-final meeting with Mayo, whereas the Shannonsiders offered a helping of comfort to Kearns after a league campaign ravaged by injury and the unavailability of key players.
The sides were level at half-time at 0-5 each, Muiris Gavin's four points being complemented by another from Stephen Lavin while Andrew Mallon fired over a brace for Armagh with Ronan Clarke, Steven McDonnell and Aidan O'Rourke also getting on target.
Limerick enjoyed one of their best spells at the start of the second half when Stephen Kelly used his blistering pace to telling effect, swooping for a superb point and regularly outwitting the home rearguard.
It was no surprise when Kernan despatched Oisín McConville and Paul McGrane from the bench to steady the Armagh ship.
McDonnell and Mallon eased Armagh in front at 0-8 to 0-6 and, after Michael Reidy had bagged another Limerick point, McConville pointed with his first touch.
In a pulsating finish Conor Fitzgerald and Gavin landed further points for Limerick but McDonnell's third point from a free gave Armagh the victory.
ARMAGH: P Hearty; P Watters, F Bellew, E McNulty; A O'Rourke (0-1), C McKeever, A Kernan; J McEntee, J Toal; M O'Rourke, S Kernan (0-1), M Mackin; S McDonnell (0-3, all frees), R Clarke (0-1), B Mallon (0-3). Subs: K McElvanna for Watters (half-time), P McGrane for Toal (44 mins), O McConville (0-1) for Mackin (52 mins), J NcNulty for Bellew (Yellow card, 55 mins), K McGeeney for A Kernan (69 mins).
LIMERICK: M Jones; T Stack, D Sheedy, J McCarthy; P Browne, S Lucey, S Lavin (0-1); J Quane, J Galvin; C Mullane, M Gavin (0-5, frees), M Crowley; C Fitzgerald (0-1), S Kelly (0-1), M Reidy (0-1). Sub: D Reidy for Lucey (58 mins).
YELLOW CARD: Armagh: F Bellew (55 mins).
Referee: Cormac O'Reilly (Meath)
