Odhran Murdock sparkles for Down in emphatic victory over lacklustre Limerick

Although they had to play second fiddle to the visitors in the opening 10 minutes, once the outstanding Murdock let loose with two penalties either side of a blistering goal from Daniel Guinness the result was never in doubt.

Limerick’s Colum McSweeney was blackcarded for a foul on Liam Kerr and the home side went in at half-time 3-8 to 0-5 ahead.

It took Down 12 minutes to register their first score of the second half with Kerr firing over after Peter Nash tried to ignite fire in his side with a point of his own.

Pat Havern kept the scoreboard ticking over for Conor Laverty’s side with five points from placed balls as they eased to a fine victory.

Down scorers: O Murdock 2-3 (2-0p), P Havern 0-5 (5f), D Guinness 1-1, L Kerr 0-3 (1f), S Johnston 0-2, P Fegan, O Savage 0-1 each

Limerick scorers: P Nash 0-6 (4f), I Corbett, S Costello, C Fahy 0-1 each.