A very much in-form Limerick had few problems in seeing off the challenge of under-strength Clare at Kilmallock yesterday.

The central figure for the winners was corner forward Colm Hickey who got them off to the perfect start with a brace of points, and when the pressure was on in the second half, was on target from a penalty.

Limerick led 0-10 to 0-5 at the break and had stretched their lead to 0-12 to 0-6 when Dave Russell goaled for Clare after Alan Kitson had earlier saved a penalty from him; but Limerick went forward again and Hickey's goal settled it.

Limerick: A Kitson; M Reardon, D Sheehy, Denis Reidy; C Mullane, S Lucey, Damian Reidy (0-1); J Galvin, J Quane; M Reidy (0-2), M Gavin (0-1), S Lavin (0-1); J Murphy, J Stokes (0-3), C Hickey (1-6).

Clare: J Hanrahan; C Whelan, B Considine, P Smith; P Gallagher, N Hawes, B Keating; Dave Russell (1-2), D O'Sullivan; G Quinlan, Denis Russell (0-2), P McMahon; D Moloughney (0-2), J Young, M Daly (0-1). Sub: M O'Shea (0-1) for O'Sulloivan.

Ref: J Tyrrell (Tipperary)