Limerick briefly threatened an upset at Kilmallock yesterday when, with a strong wind behind them, they drew within four points of Louth in the second half. However, the threat wasn't long passing as they allowed David Reilly and Darren Kirwan to creep in behind their defence for two smash-and-grab goals inside 60 seconds. There was no way back afterwards.

Limerick were ahead after 15 minutes after a goal from Muiris Gavin, but Louth re-organised and once Darren Kirwan cut in from the left to raise their first green flag, they led thereafter.

Louth had their best patch in the 10 minutes coming up to the break when they rattled over eight unanswered points to lead 1-11 to 1-2.

Limerick, with the elements behind them, made a dream start to the second half with a brace of points from both John Quane and Colm Hickey and another from Neilus Hunt left it 1-11 to 1-7.

However, their hopes were dashed following the two-goal burst from Reilly and Kirwan and with their confidence eroded, they managed just two more points before the finish.

LIMERICK: E Scollard; T Stack, D Sheehy 0-1, G O'Connor; P Ahern, B Begley, M Gavin 1-1; J Quane 0-2, M Doherty; C Minehan, T McGarry, B Tobin; M Reidy, N Hunt 0-1, C Hickey 0-4. Subs: P Windle for Minehan, T McLaughlin for Tobin.

LOUTH: C Nally; B Phillips, Denis Reilly 0-1, B Reilly; A Hoey, S Melia, S Gerard; A O'Neill, M Farrelly 0-1; N Malone 0-1, J Holland, O McDonnell 0-3; David Reilly 1-3, D Kirwan 2-3, JP Rooney 0-2. Subs: K Callaghan for Holland, D Coleman for Denis Reilly, B Keenan for Rooney, P Kelly for Melia.

Referee: T Quigley (Wexford).