LIMERICK were made to work for their opening round win.
Limerick kicked off their 2021 National League campaign with a well deserved 4-9 to 1-11 win over Longford in the Gaelic Grounds.
A superb first half proved the catalyst for the win as Limerick raised three green flags.
Limerick were 3-5 to 0-7 to the good at the half following the goal blitz.
Cillian Fahy hit the ground flying for Limerick, hitting 1-1 inside the opening two minutes. He finished with 1-3 from midfield in the opening half.
The sides exchanged the next four scores as the Leinster side started to settle.
But on 26 minutes, Donovan gave Limerick daylight once more, pouncing on a loose ball in the Longford area before firing into the net.
Donovan had his second goal five minutes later, rounding the keeper after being set free from a beautiful Hugh Bourke pass.
Longford had the final two scores of the half to leave seven between the sides at the break.
Longford opened the scoring but Josh Ryan replied with his first of the day from a free.
A Robbie Smyth score had Longford back to within six with fifteen left on the clock. The visitors then rattled the cross bar as Limerick’s standard dipped.
Longford were within two after 71 minutes as substitute Darragh Doherty fisted to the net expertly.
But Robbie Bourke replied for Limerick, only their third of the half to make it 3-8 to 1-11.
And with time firmly in the red, Limerick broke the length of the field with James Naughton hitting the net to secure the win.
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