LIMERICK 2-11 ANTRIM 1-11:After a good first half in which they dominated Antrim fell apart in the second half as Limerick moved up a gear, scoring two goals and seven points to claim victory at Casement Park yesterday.

Antrim had looked to be coasting at half-time when they led by 1-6 to 0-4 with their goal coming from Martin McCarry five minutes from the interval.

Limerick made a few changes at half-time, the most significant being Jason Stokes who within 40 seconds of the restart shot to the Antrim net. Seven minutes later corner forward Michael Reidy, the best attacker on view, slammed in Limerick's second goal to take the lead for the first time.

Reidy and Pat Ahern added two points each as Limerick began to pull away. With John Quane and John Galvin dominating midfield and Diarmuid Sheehy and Damien Reidy prominent in defence they gave Antrim few chances.

Antrim made a late rally with half back Gearóid Adams scoring two points while substitute Niall Doyle shot over with an open goal in front of him as Limerick held out for a deserved win.

ANTRIM: S McGreevy; G Bell, A Convery, S Kelly; G Adams (0-2), M Mulholland, A Finnegan; J Quinn, M McCrory; G Flynn, M McCarry (1-0), P Close; K Brady (0-1), K Madden (0-7), K. Doyle. Subs: N Ward for S Kelly 45 mins, N Doyle (0-1) for K Doyle 45 mins, O Doherty for G Flynn 50 mins, R McAleese for J Quinn 58 mins, J McKeever for G Bell 68 mins.

LIMERICK: S O'Donnell; M O'Riordan, D Sheehy, T Stack; C Mullane, S Lucey (0-1), D Reidy (0-1); J Quane, J Galvin (0-1); Shane Kelly, J Murphy, P Ahern (0-2); M Reidy (1-5), M Gavin, C Hickey (0-1). Subs: J Stokes (1-0) for J Murphy (h-t), Stephen Kelly for Shane Kelly (h-t), C Fitzgerald for C Hickey 66 mins, S Lavin for T Stack 66 mins, T McGarry for S Lucey 68 mins.

Referee: P. O'Reilly ( Longford).