Limerick ... 1-14 Louth ... 1-12: Limerick footballers took another giant step towards top-flight league football when they they fought back to earn victory over Louth at Ardee on Saturday.

With only a meeting with struggling Wicklow to come, the Munster side look like securing promotion to Division One A. Limerick's determination saw them overcome a five-point deficit at half time, with the home side leading by 1-8 to 0-6.

Captain Muiris Gavin led by example on the day, scoring eight points for Limerick. Dual star Brian Begley scored the goal on 54 minutes that ultimately divided the teams.

The full forward boxed the ball to the net after a Michael Reidy shot had come back off the post and rolled across the goal.

Jason Stokes was instrumental in Limerick's revival after he moved back to midfield for the second period.

Louth, also pushing for promotion, did not help their cause when they had captain Mark Stanfield sent off eight minutes from the end after an off-the-ball incident. They also had the ball in the back of the net through JP Rooney, but it was disallowed.

LIMERICK: S O'Donnell; M O'Riordan, D Sheehy, T Stack; S Lavin, D Reidy (0-1, '65), P Browne; J Quane (0-1), J Galvin; S Kelly (0-2), M Gavin (0-8, 4fs), C Mullane; J Stokes (0-1), B Begley (1-0), M Reidy. Subs: C Fitzgerald (0-1) for Kelly; P O'Dea for Brown (71).

LOUTH: S Reynolds; A Page, A Hoey, D Brennan; J Clarkin, C Goff, B Clarke (0-1); M Farrelly (0-1), K Reilly; S O'Hanlon, C Grimes (0-2, 1f), N McDonnell; P Keenan (1-1), M Stanfield (0-1), JP Rooney (0-2). Sub: M Brennan (P Keenan 59).

Referee: C Broderick (Down).