LIMERICK were without their top scorer, Gary Kirby, who was married on Saturday, and most of the team attended the wedding, which may explain the sluggish start by the home side yesterday.

They found themselves two points in arrears inside four minutes thanks to points by Down's Martin and Paul Coulter. Limerick were on terms after 11 minutes and they went on to lead by 0-6 to 0-3 at half time. It was 0-7 to 0-4 five minutes into the second half, but then came a well taken Down goal by Noel Sands to level the tie.

Limerick got their goal after 42 minutes when Damian Quigley made a great run and passed to Mark Foley, whose effort was stopped, but Padraig Tobin put the ball in the net with his foot.

From then on Limerick were in total control, and Mike Galligan, who took over the free taking in the absence of Kirby, had three late points. Additional points from Loin and Shane O'Neill gave Limerick their rather flattering seven point winning margin.

New goalkeeper John O'Brien made two superb first half saves for Limerick and he, Dave Clarke, Mike Nash, Sean O'Neill, Mike Galligan and Padraig Tobin were best for Limerick, who suffered a major blow in the second half when their captain Ciaran Carey had to retire with a broken finger, which may keep him out of the game for six weeks.

Down had good defenders in Gary Savage, Martin Mallon and goalkeeper Noel Keith.