Limerick 6-17 Derry 0-9 Four-goal Donnacha Sheehan had Limerick boss Dave Keane on cloud nine after he led the charge in a massive 31-point winning margin over NHL Division 1B basement side Derry at Kilmallock.

"This win has been a long time a coming and all I can say is that it comes as a great relief. There was a lot of pressure on our young lads but now that we have found the winning touch I am confident we can progress further," said Keane.

It was, in fact, the Shannonsiders' first competitive win since they beat Clare in the 2002 NHL semi-finals.

Sheehan, in only his second start, was a revelation. In addition to his goals, he carved the openings for Barry Foley and Brian Begley to also goal.

Unfortunately, only 325 fans went through the turnstiles, believed to be a record low for a competitive game involving Limerick.

Derry, who travelled without seven regulars, were on the ropes after 20 minutes when they trailed 2-9 to 0-1, and went in at half time on the wrong end of a 3-14 to 0-2 score-line.

They fell further behind to a Barry Foley goal on 41 minutes, by which time Limerick were brushing up on their teamwork and scoring at will.

LIMERICK: T Houlihan; D Reale, E Mulcahy, M O'Brien; P O'Dwyer, E Foley 0-1, M Foley; P Lawlor 0-1, C Carey 0-1; C Fitzgerald 0-1, TJ Ryan 0-3, B Foley 1-4; D Sheehan 4-2, B Begley 1-4, M Keane 0-3. Subs: J Moran 0-1, for Keane, J Meskell for Carey, N Moran 0-1 for Lawlor, M. O'Brien for Fitzgerald.

DERRY: K Stevenson; C McKenna, G Brunton, K Hamphey; M Conway, D Magill, P O'Kane; A McCrystal, R Kennedy 0-1; S McGlone, O Collins 0-2, G Biggs 0-2; D McGrellis 0-2, M Collins, E Cushnahan. Subs: S McBride for McGlone, P Doherty 0-1, for McKenna, P Quigg 0-1, for McGillis.

Referee: J McGrath (Westmeath).