LIMERICK...3-21 ANTRIM...1-15: Their hopes were still high after the first half yesterday as they hurled well against the breeze to be only 0-11 to 0-8 behind at the break. Limerick, however, freewheeled through the second period for a deserved 12 points victory that puts them into the hunt for the league title.

Paul O'Grady punished Antrim's tendency to foul during the first half as he knocked over seven points from placed balls against the breeze.

The winners' first goal arrived in the 37th minute when JP Sheehan was left unmarked in front of the Antrim posts after a defence-splitting build-up by Andrew O'Shaughnessy and Donnacha Sheehan.

Goal number two was scored by Donnacha Sheehan on 55 minutes and by the time number three went in from Pat Tobin in the 61st minute, any Antrim hopes of a first league victory this season was wiped out.

ANTRIM: Damian Quinn; M Kettle, K Kelly, B Herron; M McCambridge, K McKeegan, C Herron (0-1, '65); J Connolly (0-1), N Reynolds; M Herron (0-2), C McGuckian (0-2), L Watson (1-6, five frees); Darren Quinn, P Richmond (0-1), A Delargy (0-1). Subs: B McFall (0-1) for M Herron; L Richmond for Reynolds (both 51); C Cunning for Connolly; M Scullion for McCambridge (both 62).

LIMERICK: A Shanahan; M Cahill, TJ Ryan, B Carroll; D Reale, P Sheehan, M Foley; O Moran (0-3, one free, one '65), P Tobin (1-2); P O'Grady (0-7, frees), JP Sheehan (1-2), D Sheehan (1-1); A O'Shaughnessy (0-3, one free), S O'Connor (0-2), D Ryan (0-1). Subs: J O'Brien for O'Grady (41 mins); E Mulcahy for P Sheehan (44); J Butler for Ryan (67); J Meskell for O'Connor (73).

Referee: F Smith (Meath).