Limerick secured a brace of points when they saw off the challenge of an under-strength Offaly team at St Brendan's Park, Birr yesterday.

From the outset it wasn't going to be easy for the home side, who were minus the bulk of their Birr and Seir Kieran club players, who are preparing for the up-coming county final in March.

Limerick proved to be that bit more confident on the day and they held much more experience on their side as they weighed in with several key-note scorers.

A key contributor in their forwards was the workmanlike Barry Foley at corner forward, who struck with 2-2 and the goals would be a telling difference for Limerick on the day.

The Patrick's Well man's opening goal came after 10 minutes, when he was played through by another Patrick's Well man, Paul O'Grady.

The referee awarded a penalty and Foley crashed it to the net to give Limerick a lead of 14 to 0-0.

The same player would rubber-stamp matters just past the midway juncture of the second half, when, following a looping ball in by Mark Keane, Foley reacted quickest to steer the ball to the Offaly net.

Offaly rallied with scores from Conor Gath, Damian Murray and an excellent long distance shot from Billy Comerford.

However, Limerick had their tails up and they were not going to be denied the full quota of points.

Limerick actually led by 1-11 to Offaly's 0-5 at half-time. The home side came much more into the game in the second half and added 1-6 to their five points in the first half.

As well as the goals, the foundation for Limerick's success was established in the first half following points from play by Ollie Moran, James Butler, Barry Foley, and points from placed balls by Mark Keane which Offaly had no answer to.

Offaly, however, can take encouragement from their performance in the final half-hour. Indeed, they had a golden chance of their own in the closing three minutes.

Following a shot by John Troy, the Limerick goalkeeper Timmy Houlihan turned the sliothar aside to Conor Gath, but he steered his effort to the left and wide.

LIMERICK: T Houlihan; D Reale, TJ Ryan, D Ryan; J Foley, B Geary, M Foley (0-1); M O'Brien (0-2, one free), J Moran; P O'Grady, O Moran (0-3, two frees), M Keane (0-3, 2 frees); J Butler (0-2), B Begley (0-2), B Foley (2-2). Subs: D Stapleton for Butler (59 mins).

OFFALY: S Byrne; R Devery, M O'Hara, D Moran; W Comerford (0-1), J Brady, C Cassidy (0-2); A Hanrahan, G Oakley; D Murray (0-6, all frees), M Hand (1-0), B Murphy; B Teehan, J Troy, M Duignan. Subs: C Gath (0-2) for Teehan (20 mins); K Farrell for Devery (40).

Referee: G Harrington (Cork).