Athlone Town edged out Limerick 37 following a five goal thriller at Lissywoolen.
The home side were out of luck in the early stages when Brian McCarthy's header from Ryan Casey’s corner kick bounced off the crossbar.
Colin Fortune had a shot cleared off the line for Athlone midway through the opening half with the Town midfielder then sending the rebound wide.
John Tierney then had a chance to give Limerick the lead but failed to capitalise on a Ciaran Kelly fumble and shot wide.
The game came to life with two goals in a three minute spell just before half time. The visitors took the lead when Derek McCarthy headed Kevin Waters in swinging free kick from the right to the net but Athlone were back on level terms soon after.
Noel McGee grabbed his third goal in four games with a close range finish past goalkeeper Dave Ryan to send the sides in for the break on level terms.
Athlone took the lead just before the hour mark to punish a limerick indiscretion. Anthony Hayes fouled Colin Fortune 25 yards out and Fortune recovered to send the ball into the roof of the net with the resulting free kick.
The home side further stretched their lead when Davy Byrne neatly finished off a good move with a cool strike from Eric Lavines pass from the left. Limerick reduced the deficit through a Kevin Waters strike from the edge of the penalty area.
As full time approached former Athlone favourite Padraig Moran had a great chance to level the match but with time to pick his spot in the net was denied by a fine save from Ciaran Kelly.
Athlone substitute Paul McTiernan was sent off in stoppage time as he received two yellow cards for continuing to dispute an offside decision with the referee.
Athlone Town: Kelly, Rossiter, Hamm, Frawley, McCarthy, Fortune, Hardy, Byrne, Lavine (McTiernan 78), McGee (O’Dowd 71), Casey.
Limerick 37: Ryan, Whyte, Curtin, Barrett, Purcell, Hayes, Cosgrave (Brazier 63), Molan, Tierney (Moran 74), Waters, McCarthy (Colbert 76).
Referee: G. Kelly
