Limerick hit eight goals as they tore Antrim apart in the All-Ireland SHC qualifier at the Gaelic Grounds this afternoon with a 8-26 to 1-15 success.
Shane Dowling scored 4-09 in the game and the home side took a 4-01 to 0-02 inside 10 minutes to effectively decide the tie.
Graeme Mulcahy (2), Sean Tobin and Niall Moran also found the net as Limerick secured a 32-point win with Neil McManus’ goal barely a consolation for the humiliated Saffrons.
Antrim were a goal down inside a minute as Tobin lashed the ball home following good play by James Ryan.
Neal McAuley registered a point for Antrim but two goals from Dowling and another three-pointer from Moran gave the Shannonsiders a 12-point lead with barely 10 minutes on the clock.
Antrim hit back with Shane McNaughton amongst their scorers but Graeme Mulcahy then netted for the home side.
Limerick led 5-07 to 0-13 at half-time with Liam Watson and McNaughton keeping Antrim in the game.
Limerick scored 3-15 in 20 second half minutes with Dowling enjoying plenty of freedom in his 21-point haul, and although Neil McManus goaled, it was a humiliating day for the Ulster side as they exited the Championship.
Scorers - Limerick: S Dowling 4-9 (0-5f, 0-1 '65'), G Mulcahy 2-4, S Tobin 1-3, D Hannon 0-6, N Moran 1-0, S O'Brien 0-2, R McCarthy, T O'Brien 0-1 each
Antrim: L Watson 0-7 (0-6f), N McManus 1-1, S McNaughton 0-3, B McAuley 0-2, N McAuley, E McCloskey 0-1 each
LIMERICK: N Quaid; S Walsh, R McCarthy, T Condon; W McNamara, D O'Grady, G O'Mahony; J Ryan, T O'Brien; S Dowling, B Geary, D Breen; G Mulcahy, N Moran, S Tobin.
Subs used: D Hannon for Breen (16 mins), A Murphy for Quaid (half-time), S O'Brien for Geary (50), S O'Neill for Condon (51), S Hickey for McNamara (55).
ANTRIM: D Quinn; P J O'Connell, N McGarry, A Graffin; B McAuley, J Campbell, N Gethins; B McAuley, P Shields; E McCloskey, N McManus, B McFall; S McNaughton, L Watson, C Carson.
Subs used: J Kerr for O'Connell (20 mins), M Herron for Gethins (46).
Referee: Johnny Ryan (Tipperary)
