Division Two A/Limerick 2-10 Carlow 2-4: Limerick remain unbeaten in the league following this unflattering six-point win over a disappointing Carlow at Dr Cullen Park yesterday.

Limerick were clearly the better side, displaying far greater pace, fielding and cohesion throughout. Carlow, by comparison, looked in disarray and have now slumped to a third successive defeat.

Although Carlow got a great start with an opportunistic fifth-minute goal from Brian Kelly and led 2-1 to 0-3 after 24 minutes, they trailed 2-1 to 1-7 at half-time.

Limerick scored a 27th-minute penalty through Michael Reidy and went on to dominate the latter stages of the first half.

A 39th-minute goal from Seánie Buckley put clear daylight between the sides and Carlow, lacking ideas, never gained a foothold as Limerick dominated the second half.

Carlow manager Liam Hayes suggested recently a change of jersey might be an answer to Carlow's cycle of failure at this level. That may be debateable, but the former Meath All-Ireland star certainly has a massive job on his hands as he takes his side to face John Maughan's Roscommon in the west next Sunday.

LIMERICK: S Kiely; S Gallagher, J McCarthy, P Browne; C Mullane, D Reidy, S Lavin; J Galvin, J Stokes; P Ahearn, T Carroll, S Buckley (1-1); M Crowley (0-3, 0-1f), J Murphy (0-4, 0-2f), M Reidy (1-2, 1-0 pen); Subs: E Ryan for Carroll, J Cooke for Buckley.

CARLOW: J Brennan; C McCarthy, D Byrne, J Ryan; J Hayden, J Byrne, J Keogh; P Walsh, T Walsh; J Fitzgerald (1-0), M Carpenter, B English; S Rea (0-2, frees), M Brennan (0-1), B Kelly (1-1, 0-1f). Subs: P Hickey for English, P Fitzgerald for Hayden, A Kelly for J Fitzgerald, T Smith for D Byrne.

Referee: P Finnegan (Louth).