Limerick; 0-13 Wicklow; 0-6:Wicklow goalkeeper Robert Hollingsworth saved Wicklow from a heavier defeat to Limerick at Aughrim yesterday with two marvellous saves either side of half-time.

Hollingsworth blocked a sizzling shot from Pat Ahern 10 minutes before half-time and he repeated the feat five minutes into the second half when he denied a goal to corner forward Michael Reidy.

Limerick should have been out of sight before half-time instead of clinging to a one-point lead, 0-6 to 0-5. Lining out with dual player Stephen Lucey at centre back, Limerick shot nine wides in the opening 35 minutes. Limerick were much more purposeful and imaginative with Michael Reidy and Jason Stoke causing problems for the Wicklow defence. Limerick's erratic shooting, however, saw Wicklow in with a chance up to the third quarter.

Midway through that period Jonathan Behan was put through by Anthony Nolan and Fergus Daly, but his final shot was well saved by Limerick goalkeeper Seámus O'Donnelly.

LIMERICK: S O'Donnell; M Riordan, D Sheehy, S Lavin; C Mullane (0-1), S Lucey (0-1), D Reidy (0-1); J Quane, J Galvin; J Meskill, T Carroll, P Ahern (0-1); M Reidy (0-8, four frees, 45), J Stokes (0-1), C Hickey. Subs: C Fitzgerald for Carroll, C O'Grady for Hickey, N Hunt for Meskill.

WICKLOW: R Hollingsworth; B Daly, G Jameson, C Davis; B Whelan, B Ó hAnnaidh, A Mooney; S O'Neill (0-1), F Daly, B Mernagh; A Foley (0-1), J Doyle (0-1); O Ó hAnnaidh (0-1), J Behan, A Nolan (0-2, one free). Subs: G Wynne for Mooney, D Doran for O'Neill, D Jackman for J Doyle.

Referee: T Quigley (Wexford).