Substitute Michael Grace landed an injury-time point for Kilkenny as the Cats opened their Allianz NHL Division 1 campaign with the narrowest of wins.
Kilkenny led by 0-11 to 0-07 at half-time, with Richie Power hitting six of their first-half total.
The lead would have been much narrower at the break were it not for Limerick free-taker Andrew O'Shaughnessy's off-day.
A collision between David Breen of Limerick and Kilkenny's Brian Hogan saw both players stretchered off shortly after the resumption.
Points from Michael Rice and Power saw the hosts maintain a four-point lead in the early stages of the second half.
However, Limerick, who had midfielder Paul Brown in excellent form, took control during the following 17 minutes and four unanswered points saw them draw level.
Kilkenny regained the lead through Power, but the Treatymen hit back through O’Shaughnessy before former Underdog Grace sealed the victory for the Noresiders and left Limerick to rue their total of nine wides.
