GAELIC GAMES/Limerick 1-18 Laois 0-16:LIMERICK TOOK the points as they struggled to beat Laois in a disappointing game at the Gaelic Grounds in which two injuries to Limerick's Niall Moran (after Pat Tobin netted) and Laois goalkeeper Patrick Mullaney meant a lengthy stoppage time.

It was a very sluggish performance by Limerick who had to rely on a strong closing 10 minutes to remain unbeaten.

Laois had the benefit of a strong breeze in the first half, during which the sides were level five times before Seán Burke had the last point to give Laois a 0-9 to 0-8 lead, thanks to Willie Hyland and Owen Holohan whose pair of points were splendidly taken.

Tobin’s goal, from a lay-off by Kevin Downes, followed by a McCarthy point when play resumed after the Mullaney injury, edged Limerick a goal in front, 1-9 to 0-9. Points by Hyland (free), and a marvellous effort by Eoin Costelloe, left only a point between them with six minutes remaining.

McCarthy, Séamus Hickey and McCarthy again had Limerick motoring well again and only two points separated them before two efforts by McCarthy, one from a free, and another by Paul Browne made it safe for the home side.

LIMERICK: N Quaid; D Reale, G O’Mahoney, T Condon; S Hickey (0-2), B Geary (0-1, free), D Breen; D O’Grady (0-1), P Browne (0-2); N Moran, J Ryan (0-1), R McCarthy (0-8, 0-3 frees); P Tobin (1-2), K Downes, S Tobin. Subs: T O’Brien (0-1) for Moran (23 mins), A OShaughnessy for S Tobin (52 mins), P McNamara for Downes (70 mins), D Ryan for P Tobin (70 mins), B Hourigan for Ryan (70 mins).

LAOIS: P Mullanney; J Delaney, B Campion, B Stapleton; J Fitzpatrick, M Whelan, B Galvin; J Walsh (0-2), S Burke (0-2); B Dunne (0-1), W Hyland (0-6, 0-4 frees), C Murray (0-1); O Holohan (0-3), J Purcell, J Brophy. Subs: E Relly for Mullaney (36 mins), N Foyle for Purcell (25 mins), E Costelloe (0-1) for Burke (53 mins), Purcell for Dunne (74 mins).

Referee: D Kirwan (Cork).