NHL DIVISION TWO: Limerick 1-25 Down 2-11:AFTER LEADING for 58 minutes Down collapsed as Limerick went on a scoring spree, chalking up a goal and nine points to a single point by Down in the final 12 minutes in Portaferry yesterday.

Down took advantage of the elements and scored two goals – Scott Nicholson and Aidan Clarke – as Limerick struggled to come to terms with the conditions. With James Coyle and Benny Ennis scoring two points each Down were ahead 2-6 to 0-8 at the break.

But assisted by the strong breeze in the second period Limerick were level after 12 minutes with points from Tom Condon, Richie McCarthy and Seán Tobin.

Down responded strongly and took the lead with two Coyle points. But a Pat Tobin goal spurred on Limerick and a flurry of points from the likes of James Ryan, Brian Geary and Thomas OBrien secured the win.

LIMERICK:B Murray; T Condon (0-1), G O'Mahoney, D Maloney; W McNamara, B Geary (0-3, 0-1 free), D Breen; D OGrady (0-3), P OBrien; R McCarthy (0-5, 0-4 frees), J Ryan (0-3), D Maher (0-1); P Tobin (1-3), K Downes (0-1), S Tobin (0-3). Subs:N Moran (0-1) for N Maher (48 mins); M O'Riordan for P O'Brien (50 mins); T O'Brien (0-1) for R McCarthy (62 mins).

DOWN:G Clarke; M Hughes, F Conway, S Ennis; K McGarry, C Woods (0-1), M Ennis; A Savage (0-1), E Clarke; A O'Prey, A Clarke (1-0), J Coyle (0-6, 0-4 frees); S Nicholson (1-1), B Ennis (0-2), C Mageean. Subs:D Toner for C Mageean (60 mins); M Conlon for S Nicholson (67 mins).

Referee:E Elliott (Antrim).