Limerick started their Tailteann Cup campaign with a three-point win over Longford at the TUS Gaelic Grounds.
Mark Fitzgerald's side were the better side throughout with goals from Cathal Downes and Brian Donovan putting them in a strong position heading into the final stages.
It was Longford that opened the scoring through midfielder Ryan Moffett but Limerick’s response was swift with Downes curling a shot into the top corner after good work from Colm McSweeney.
Dylan Farrell and Oran Kenny soon had Paddy Christie’s men back on level terms, however, it could have been a different game if Aaron Farrell took his goal chance on 14 minutes.
Limerick took advantage of that miss with points from Peter Nash and McSweeney to lead by a goal.
That lead was soon at four points when Downes added to his goal - 1-05 to 0-04 with 24 minutes on the clock.
Longford then opened up the Limerick defence for a second time with Keelin McGann denied by a smart Donal O’Sullivan stop. Joe Hagan was on hand to tap over after the rebound was worked to the right hand side.
Limerick were getting their scores easier than their opponents with Nash and Naughton, deadly from frees, while Longford were also heavily reliant on the left boot of Farrell.
It was the home side that went in at the break 1-08 to 0-07 in front.
Longford made a positive start to the second half with Kenny and Connerton scores in between a Donovan Limerick point.
The same man was on hand to stretch Limerick’s lead to five on 45 minutes when Michael Quinn was blown up by referee Sean Lonergan for handling the ball in the square. Donovan’s finish from the penalty was lethal.
The 2022 Munster finalists were cruising to victory heading into added time but a late Daniel Reynolds goal gave Longford hope of a dramatic comeback.
However, time ran out and Limerick earned a winning start to their Tailteann Cup campaign.
Limerick: Donal O'Sullivan; Mike Donovan, Seán O'Dea, Brian Fanning; Barry Coleman, Jim Liston, Paul Maher (0-01); Cillian Fahy, Cathal Downes (1-01); Cian Sheehan (0-01,mark), Brian Donovan (1-02), Adrian Enright; James Naughton (0-06, 5f), Peter Nash (0-02), Colm McSweeney (0-01).
Subs: Hugh Bourke (0-01) for Liston (46), Tony McCarthy for Donovan (56), Darragh Murray for Enright (62), Tommy Griffin (0-01) for Downes (67), Davy Lyons for Nash (69), David Connolly for O'Dea (76, inj).
Longford: Patrick Collum; Patrick Fox, Andrew Farrell, Bryan Masterson; Iarla O'Sullivan, Michael Quinn, Peter Lynn; Ryan Moffett (0-01), Dessie Reynolds; Dylan Farrell (0-07, 5f) Joe Hagan (0-02), Aaron Farrell; Liam Connerton (0-02), Keelin McGann (0-01), Oran Kenny (0-03, 1f).
Subs: Jack Macken for Farrell (52), Daniel Reynolds (1-00) for Connerton (62), Peter Foy for Lynn (65).
Referee: Sean Lonergan (Tipperary)
