Longford kept their season alive with a comprehensive win over a disappointing Limerick outfit in Round One of the All-Ireland Qualifiers at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Saturday evening.

Revitalised Longford, minus the injured Michael Quinn, were full value for their 0-8 to 0-4 lead at the break as they took the game to a defensive minded Limerick team. The crucial blows were Francis McGee's well taken goal on 38 minutes and when JJ Matthews was gifted the second goal in the 47th minute.

Seán McCormack was a key figure in the Longford victory, firing over a total of eight points (five frees).

Limerick finished with 13 players after substitute Michael Reidy got a straight red in the 59th minute and John Riordan receiving a second yellow in the 69th.

LONGFORD: D Sheridan; D Brady, B Gilleran, D Reilly; B O'Farrell, P McCormack, S Mulligan; J Keegan (0-1), M Brady; B McElvaney, P Barden (0-1), P Foy; F McGee (1-0), S McCormack (0-8, five frees), JJ Matthews (1-2). Subs: N Mulligan (0-2) for P Foy (49 mins), CP Smyth for P Barden (61 mins); K Diffley for J Keegan (64 mins), A Rowan for F McGee, S Doyle for B McElvaney (both 66 mins).
LIMERICK: B Scanlon; A Lane, J McCarthy, M O'Riordan; S Lavin, P Browne, P Ranahan; B O'Brien, J Galvin; J Riordan, T Lee, I Corbett (0-1); G Collins (0-1), S Buckley (0-3, one free), E O'Connor (0-3, one free ). Subs: D O'Connor (0-1, free) for T Lee (half-time), S Lucey for B O'Brien (42 mins); M Reidy for I Corbett (45 mins); S O'Carroll for G Collins (49 mins); C Coady for A Lane (66 mins).
Referee: D Gough (Meath).