Division One B/ Limerick 0-15; Armagh 0-12: Like a man dying of thirst two steps from the well, it seemed Limerick mightn't get to finish their National League as the complete journey. Armagh had clawed back a seven-point deficit and had them on the ropes, and all local thoughts of an historic run into the semi-finals were suspended.

Then something happened in the Limerick minds that has now defined this team for a generation. They refused to lie down, refused to concede to a team which would normally brush past them without much of a thought. Instead, they closed out the game with 15 minutes of steely football that earned them a truly deserving victory.

In doing so, they top Division One A and with it earn that glorious path to a semi-final.

Armagh had their fair share in the crowd of just over 5,000, but every one of the Limerick supporters stuck around to greet their team off the field. It's still a long time before football success is taken for granted in the county, and yet this is a team they know are going places. And they're loving it.

"I believe this team has been five years going forward and it hasn't taken a step back yet," said manager Liam Kearns. "We did lose the Munster final last year, but I still think we've been going forward the whole time. We do want to get some major silverware now. And you will take confidence from that type of performance and against that type of opposition."

So it's into the semi-finals against Munster rivals Kerry, and home of Kearns. On the other side lie Galway and Tyrone. "Sure we're in good company," he said.

For Armagh the whole experience didn't prove memorable. When they levelled the scores exactly seven minutes into the second half and then pulled briefly ahead it felt like they had to win. Ask anyone about the wind at the Gaelic Grounds and they'll tell you why. But they didn't score for the last 20 minutes.

Manager Joe Kernan had a few complaints then - primarily on one count. "To be honest, I'd say the standard of referring at the moment is a disgrace," he started. "A blind man would have seen some of the things that happened out there. We mightn't be up to scratch at the moment, but the standard of referees is definitely not up to standard at the moment.

"I mean, our 'keeper was blocked about six times trying to get a kickout. In fact, referees on the whole are very poor at the moment - and I'll probably get a rap for that."

Referee Pat Fox of Westmeath probably didn't have one of his better days, but it was far from the only reason Armagh lost. When Limerick put it up to them in the closing quarter hour the old desire just wasn't there, and determination weighed heavily in favour of Limerick.

"On the day Limerick were hungrier," added Kernan. "We had our chance, and 10 minutes into the second half we had the game by the scruff of the neck. We didn't finish it and that's our fault."

Limerick had won the toss and elected to play with the wind. The sort of wind that would catch a ball going wide and blow it between the posts. Just ask Colm Hickey, whose first-half shot did exactly that.

But even with that wind the Limerick forwards were scoring with beautiful regularity. By 28 minutes all six forwards had scored, and all from play. Stephen Kelly had way too much pace for Aidan O'Rourke, and Eoin Keating, Maurice Horan and Mike O'Brien showed up for ball by the bucketful. They led 0-7 to 0-0 after a quarter hour despite hitting a few bad wides.

At midfield, too, John Galvin and a returning Jason Stokes were in top form. The defence couldn't do much wrong either, where Conor Mullane made several outstanding blocks.

Armagh had opened sluggishly considering they too were in the hunt for that semi-final place. Gradually, though, they found their gear. Steven McDonnell, as always, got into ideal scoring positions and gratefully converted, while Oisín McConville's free-taking slowly but surely cut into Limerick's lead. They turned at 0-11 to 0-7 and, having hit seven wides, Limerick should have been further up.

Four points in quick succession from McDonnell (twice), Martin O'Rourke and then Paddy McKeever drew Armagh level. McDonnell then edged them ahead. With the wind in their faces and more Armagh spirit on their backs it was difficult to imagine how Limerick could survive.

John Quane was called in to counteract the appearance of Kieran McGeeney, and he gave Limerick a lift. And all over the field the Limerick attitude was do-or-die and, once Horan drew them level, the spirit become indomitable.

A majestic, 45-metre score from Keating turned the tide yet again, and once Kelly added two more, the last from a free, Limerick were in total control. Armagh closed out without any response and Limerick could enjoy every moment of the final whistle.

"Well, as far as we're concerned it's been a disappointing league for us," conceded Kernan. "We've had good days and bad days, but what we've done in the league won't be good enough for the championship.

"We were missing a few boys with injury this week, but two or three men shouldn't make such a difference. We'll have to look at ourselves over the next few weeks and work towards the championship. But we've a lot of work to do before the 23rd of May."

LIMERICK: S O'Donnell; P Browne, J McCarthy, D Sheehy; C Mullane, S Lucey, D Reidy; J Stokes (0-1), J Galvin; S Kelly (0-5, one free), M Horan (0-2), M O'Brien (0-1); C Hickey (0-2), J Murphy (0-1), E Keating (0-3, one 45). Subs: J Quane for Horan (54 mins), M Reidy for Hickey (65 mins), M Keane for Kelly (70 mins).

ARMAGH: P Hearty; A Mallon, J McNulty, F Bellow; A O'Rourke, T McEntee, K Hughes; P Loughran, P McGrane (0-1); P McKeever (0-2, one free), M Mackin, O McConville (0-3, all frees); S McDonnell (0-4), M O'Rourke (0-1), S Kernan (0-1). Subs: K McGeeney for Hughes (47 mins), R Clarke for Mackin (59 mins), B Mellon for Kernan (66 mins).

Referee: P Fox (Westmeath)