First Division strugglers Athlone gave a sparkling display at St Mel's Park last night. They raced into an early lead when Alan Clarke rifled a 25-yard effort to the net after six minutes and had a second within 10 minutes through Warren Parkes. Derek Whyte threw the visitors a lifeline coming up to halftime, but Athlone were back on top by the final quarter.

After Gary Devine was denied what seemed a valid penalty claim, Trevor Moylan sealed the points with a 25-yard blast on 75 minutes. Limerick's Ray O'Halloran had a penalty saved on 80 minutes before Parkes added Athlone's fourth at the death.

ATHLONE: Connaughton, Moylan, Fitzell, Silke, Smyth, Frawley, Kelly, Carberry, Devine, Parkes, Clarke. Subs: Mullen for Clarke.

LIMERICK: Fyffe, Hanrahan, Finnan, O'Halloran, D Whyte, J Whyte, Hughes, G Ryan, Devlin, B Ryan and Lynch. Subs: Spokes for J Whyte (62 mins); Foley for Lynch (78 mins); Weldrick for Devlin (78 mins).

Referee: H Byrne (Dublin).