Limerick 1-16 Galway 2-24

Galway ensured their presence in the Division 1 semi-finals by overcoming Limerick at the Gaelic Grounds this afternoon.

Ger Farragher hit 0-07 as Galway turned around with a 0-13 to 0-07 buffer. Limerick, already guaranteed a quarter-final spot, took their time to get going.

However, a devastating seven-minute spell on the resumption, when the Tribesmen outscored the hosts by 1-06 to 0-01, decided the tie.

Kerril Wade was the goalscorer and Iarlaith Tannion added a second goal for Galway before Mike O'Brien grabbed Limerick's consolation goal.

In an opening first half, played in cold and breezy conditions, neither goalkeeper was tested but there were some fine points from both sides.

Galway lined out without their captain Fergal Moore, who was sidelined with a bout of 'flu, but they were 0-04 to 0-03 by the ninth minute.

Kevin Hynes, who shot over off his left, and Ger Farragher did the early scoring for the visitors, while Donal O'Grady and Pat Tobin were quick off the mark for Limerick.

Niall Healy looked particularly sharp in the Galway attack and he was fouled for a couple of frees which Farragher had no problem in dispatching.

The Limerick forwards were struggling to get into the game, although points from O'Grady, Pat Tobin and Kevin Tobin did boost the home side's tally to 0-06.

But with a free-taker of the prowess of Farragher, and with Iarlaith Tannion also raising a late white flag, Galway looked comfortable as they headed in for the break.

Whatever Galway boss Ger Loughnane said to his side at half-time, it worked a treat as they blew the Shannonsiders away during the opening stages of the second half.

Limerick struggled to cope with the visitors' blinding pace and snappy hurling and Farragher got them ticking away with a lovely point from play.

Kerril Wade, Farragher, Tannion and Fergal Healy added further scores before Niall Moran managed to reply for Limerick.

Former Under-21 starlet Wade then rifled to the net with an excellent angled shot and playing into the wind, Galway were suddenly 1-19 to 0-08 ahead.

Limerick then enjoyed a productive period with a Barry Foley point moving his side's tally on 0-13.

But any hopes Richie Bennis' charges had of a comeback were quashed when Hynes laid off for Tannion to crack home his goal.

Mike O'Brien stopped the rot with a late Limerick goal and the Shannonsiders had their goalkeeper Dave Bulfin to thank for preventing Fergal Healy from adding two more Galway goals.

The Tribesmen did end the match with 14 players as substitute Sean Glynn was sent-off but the damage was already done as Loughnane's men marched confidently into the league's last four.