NFL DIVISION THREE Offaly 2-10 Limerick 1-12:LIMERICK REMAIN without a win, but they went close to breaking their duck at Newcastle West yesterday.

Limerick goalkeeper Brian Scanlon was a central character in this close affair. He delayed a clearance to gift John Reynolds the opening goal which had the visitors 1-4 to 0-1 in front midway through the first half. But he made amends by scoring three points, all from 45s. By half-time Offaly led 1-6 to 1-4, with Reynolds, the game’s standout player, scoring 1-2. The Limerick goal was scored by Séamus O’Carroll which left only two points between them at the interval.

Points by Eoghan O’Connor, Ger Collins and Ian Ryan edged Limerick ahead within 10 minutes of the resumption, but a Niall McNamee free and a Ken Casey goal set Offaly up for the win.

OFFALY: A Mulhall; J Keane, S Brady, S Pender; B Darby, K Slattery, S Lonergan; R Dalton, J Coughlan; C McManus (0-1), J Reynolds (1-3), S Ryan (0-2); N Dunne (0-1); N McNamee (0-2, 0-1 free), K Casey (1-0). Subs: W Mulhall for Coughlan, T Deehan for Dunne, B O'Connor (0-1) for Ryan.

LIMERICK: B Scanlon (0-3, 0-3 45s); M Riordan, S Gallagher, J McCarthy; M McCormack, J Riordan, P Ranahan; E Joy, J Galvin; S Kelly (0-1), P Kinnerk, S Buckley; I Ryan (0-2, 0-1 free), S O'Carroll (1-1), G Collins (0-4). Subs: M Sheehan for McCormack, E O'Connor (0-1) for Kinnerk.

Referee: C Lane(Cork).