Kilkenny City struck late to lift themselves off the bottom of the table at Jackman Park.
Timmy Kiely bagged all three points for the Cats, lobbing home an 86th winner at the Lower Careys Road venue.
Joe Mulcahy opened the scoring for the Cats four minutes from the break with a sweetly struck volley following a Colin Bargary cross from the right.
But Lims thought they had salvaged a point in the 85th minute when Kevin Waters provided a low finish following some good work from Derek MacCarthy.
However, straight from the kick-off the visitors worked the ball upfield and Kiely provided a sublime finish, lifting the ball over the advancing Lims keeper Davy Ryan.
It was no more than the Cats deserved, as early the first half they had a Kiely effort cleared off the line by Bobby Gregg.
However, the Shannonsiders came back strong after the interval and the Cats had goal keeper Treacy to thank for a string of fine saves.
Limerick 37: Ryan, Gregg (Moran h/t) Molan, Danagher, Purcell, Colbert (Grant 73) White, Barrett, Tierney, Waters, Cosgrave.
Kilkenny City: Treacy, Bargary, Loughnane, O'Shea, Tyrell, Fogarty, Mulcahy, Grant, O'Connor, Tynan, Kiely.
Ref: R Rodgers (Dublin)
