Declan Hannon saved Limerick from an embarrassing outcome at the Gaelic Grounds as he contributed 2-6 of their winning tally, with 1-5 coming from frees.

Limerick manager John Allen admitted: “We played poorly but we have four points from two games. It is a work in progress . . .”

Carlow were first on the scoreboard when Shane Kavanagh had two points in rapid succession, one from a free.

Séamus Hickey had Limerick’s first point after six minutes before Sean Murphy made it 0-3 to 0-1 for the visitors. After 12 minutes Hannon blasted to the net from from a powerfully struck 21-yard-free after Graeme Mulcahy was fouled on his way towards goal.

A pointed free by Kavanagh had it all square after 14 minutes. Limerick suffered a blow after 20 minutes when their captain and experienced centre-back Donal O’Grady was injured and he is likely to be out of action with a collar bone injury for several weeks.

Kavanagh, free, and Edward Coady moved Carlow back into a two-point advantage and Kavanagh added another to extend the lead to three points.

But Limerick struck for a second goal with a magnificent bullet-like drive by Hannon after 25 minutes. Two minutes later Seanie Tobin hit Limerick’s third goal and the home side led goal 3-2 to 0-8 at the interval.

Graeme Mulcahy and two more points by Hannon left Limerick 3-5 to 0-8 in front. Craig Doyle and Kavanagh narrowed the gap before Hannon had three points without reply for the home side.

But the game came to life in the final six minutes after Craig Doyle had a Carlow goal and he added a point to leave three between them. An exchange of points followed and Doyle also squandered a great chance of an equalising goal late on.