Kerry 1-7 Limerick 0-7 Munster Under-21 Football Championship: Hotly-fancied Kerry were mighty relieved to hear the final whistle in this heart-stopping Munster under-21 football championship game at a wet Newcastle West last evening

Limerick, who fought courageously to the final whistle, set out a marker for the upcoming senior provincial final between the counties in Killarney.

Playing in front of huge home support, they started at speed and a brace of points from senior player Stephen Kelly and another from Dave Foley had them riding high, with one in reply from Declan Quille.

They continued to hold their own, but then four minutes of indiscipline cost them dearly. They conceded three needless frees, all punished by Quille.

He chipped two between the uprights and provided the killer blow when he set up Colm Cooper to rifle past goalkeeper Pat Kenrick.

Kerry led 1-5 to 0-3 at the break.

Limerick began the second period as they had the first with the magnificent Stephen Kelly showing his class with a hat-trick of points.

However, with Kerry pointing at crucial times, Limerick were forced to search in vain for a goal.

KERRY: S Clifford; N Lynch, E Lawlor, F Griffin; P Sheehan, C O'Connor, E Kavanagh; S Scanlon, P Kelly; R Donovan (0-1), D O'Sullivan, M Collins; C Cooper (1-0), D Quille (0-5), DJ Fleming (0-1). Sub: D Walsh for Fleming.

LIMERICK: P Kenrick; O Burke, J McCarthy, P McCarthy; P Ranahan, M Clifford, P Browne; D Foley (0-2), D Horan; S Kelly (0-5), J Collins, J O'Connell; S Gallagher, J Lyons. T Butler. Sub: A Lane for McCarthy; A O'Connor for O'Connell; K O'Connor for Lyons.

Referee: B Tyrell (Tipperary).