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Limerick cruised into the semifinal of the league with an easy victory yesterday to preserve their unbeaten record in the competition…

Mon Apr 20 1998 - 01:00

Limerick cruised into the semifinal of the league with an easy victory yesterday to preserve their unbeaten record in the competition this season.

In advance, manager Eamon Creagan had indicated that the championship game against Cork on May 31st was Limerick's main target. But throughout the league his side have been the essence of consistency, though some of the performances did not live up to expectations.

This prompted Creagan to make eight changes from the side that struggled to beat Dublin for the visit of Antrim to the Gaelic Grounds, and those players promoted certainly hinted that they will make a strong bid for inclusion.

Limerick began in style and by half time they led by 1-7 to 0-3 having played against the strong breeze.

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Damian Quigley, a key player in Creagan's plan who only returned from a long spell of injury last week, got Limerick's first goal after 22 minutes when he took a quick hand pass from Gary Kirby, saw his first shot saved but pounced on the loose ball.

Six minutes into the second half Antrim had reduced arrears considerably, thanks to points by Jo Elliott and Mal Molloy. And nine minutes from the end a by then lethargic Limerick was stunned when Colm McGuckian got a goal for Antrim to leave only three points between the sides, 111 to 1-8.

Four minutes from the end Limerick's outstanding midfielder, Mike Houlihan, created a chance for Paudge Tobin to hit another Limerick goal to make it 2-12 to 1-8. But Antrim had the last say with the best goal of the game, a thundering effort by Greg O'Kane a minute later.

Limerick had splendid contributions from Tony O'Brien, Alan Browne, Mike Houlihan, Gary Kirby and Damian Quigley.

Antrim played better than their position in the table would indicate and Owen Colgan, Ronan Donnelly, Mal Molloy, Jo Carson and Greg O'Kane all did well.

Limerick: J Quaid; T O'Brien, A Browne, D Nash; J Foley, M Foley (0-1), C Smith; M Houlihan (0-2), O Moran (0-1); C Carey, S O'Neill, J Moran (0-1); P Tobin (1-1), G Kirby (0-4), D Quigley (1-1). Subs: D Clarke for M Foley; M Galligan (0-3) for C Carey; A Carmody for Nash.

Antrim: S Elliott; F McMullen, O Colgan, K McCambridge; S McMullen, R Donnelly, K Kelly; P McKillen (0-1), M Molloy (0-1); J Carson (0-1), C McGuckian (1-1), Gary O'Kane (0-2); A Elliott (0-1), Greg O'Kane (1-0), J Elliott (0- 1). Sub: J McIntosh for J Elliott.

Referee: W Barrett (Tipperary).