Limerick 37 strengthened their grip on a place in the top three when they beat Athlone Town by a goal to nil at the Athlone Town Stadium on Saturday.
In a game of few goal scoring chances a quarter of an hour had elapsed before the first shot took place when the visitors Kevin Waters sent an effort wide.
Eric Lavine for Athlone then had an effort put behind for a corner kick from which Michael Harty shot just over the bar from Davy Byrnes knock down.
What proved to be the winning goal came after 32 minutes when Padraig Moran on his first return to his home town club since joining Limerick scored with a left footed strike.
A clearance from goalkeeper David Ryan saw David Goldbey pass to Moran.
The veteran striker got the better of Jim Sheridan to send the ball past Ciaran Kelly into the net.
Athlone had two chances to equalise before the break but David O’Dowd failed to finish from close range and then from Colm Heffernans corner kick a shot from Ronan Frawley was blocked by the visiting defence.
Athlone made changes in attack during the second half bringing on Paul McTiernan and Noel McGee but could not find a way past a resolute Limerick defence.
Davy Byrne shot over after 51 minutes while Jim Sheridan headed Steven Gavins corner kick just over the bar midway through the half.
Ross Cosgrove had Limericks only chances after the break as the visitors defended in depth satisfied to hold onto their goal lead.
A disappointing Athlone side rarely threatened and their last chance of grabbing an equaliser fell to Ian Rossiter with 10 minutes left but his effort was cleared to safety by Paul Finucane.
Limerick remain unbeaten away from home while Athlones run without a league win in their new stadium now stretches to three games.
Athlone Town: Kelly, Rossiter, Young, Frawley, Sheridan, Harty, Gavin, Byrne, Lavine (McGee 74), O’Dowd (McTiernan 67), Heffernan (Casey 61).
Limerick 37: Ryan, Keady, Buckley, Finucane, Purcell, Molan, Goldbey (McCarthy 88), Hayes, Cosgrove, Waters, Moran (Sheehan 81).
Referee: H. Whoriskey
