Limerick FC shrugged off a lethargic first half to come from behind and record a comprehensive 4-1 eircom First Division win over 10 man bottom of the table Kilkenny City at Hogan Park tonight.
Second half strikes from two goal Tommy Barrett, Derek McCarthy, and Wayne Colbert, with a 35-yard stunner, sealed the win for Danny Drews side.
The Cats were reduced to ten men when Peter Darcy received a straight red card for clattering into Conor Molan just under the half hour mark.
Ten minutes earlier midfielder Gary Deegan fired the visitors into the lead after he was allowed run from the half way line before rifling home from outside the box.
Limerick's response was almost immediate with Pat Purcell just falling to make a full connection on a Colm Heffernan flick on from a Molan cross just outside the six yard box.
Shane Guerin then went close for the Blues with a brilliant turn and shot which brought out the save of the match from City keeper Stephen Cashin.
Kilkenny started the second half the brightest with Brian King and Willie Doyle both testing Limerick netminder John Healy.
Paul Donnelly also went close with a snap shot and Conor Buckley sent an inviting centre whizzing across the six yard box.
Barrett restored parity in 62nd minute netting from close range after the City defence failed to deal with a Molan cross.
Seven minutes later McCarthy edged his side in front with a well placed finish from outside the box following good work from Conor Synnott and John Lester.
Synnott was again involved shortly after that crossing from the right for Barrett to climb above the Kilkenny defence and notch his second of the evening with a rising header from eight yards out.
Colbert then sealed the win after collecting the ball thirty five yards from goal before unleashing a rising drive which flew into the top right hand corner of the net.
Barrett almost claimed a hat trick as the game approached injury time but was denied by a fine one handed save from Cashin.
Limerick FC: Healy, Synnott, Finnucane, Buckley, Purcell, Molan, Lester, Heffernan, Barrett, Bourke (Sheehan 80), Guerin (McCarthy 60) Colbert for McCarthy inj (80)
Kilkenny City: Cashin, McMahon, Lestrange, Mooney, Sweetman, King, Buckley (Fitzsimmons 69) Donnelly, Doyle (Brophy 77) Deegan, Darcy.
Ref: A O'Regan (Cork)
