Hurling League Division 1B: Antrim 1-12 0-23 Limerick

Eoghan Campbell scored the only goal of the game at Ballymena

Antrim suffered a second straight Hurling League Division 1B defeat after losing out to Limerick at Ballycastle.

Saffrons forward Paul Shiels scored five points in a tight first half with Limerick holding a 0-10 to 0-9 advantage at the break.

Eoghan Campbell netted the only goal in the first minute of the second half to put Antrim ahead.

Limerick hit back and surged clear with three late Shane Dowling frees sealing victory for the Munster side.

Antrim were edged out by Wexford in last weekend's opener and they were a match for Limerick for most of Sunday's encounter.

The sides were level four times in the first half with Matthew Donnelly and Simon McCrory among the Antrim scorers.

McCrory's point made it nine apiece before David Reidy slotted over to give Limerick a narrow lead at half-time.

Antrim made the perfect start to the second half with Campbell finding the net to put the Saffrons two points clear.

However, the goal sparked Limerick into life and they piled on the points with Tom Condon firing over a double.

Scores from Campbell and Shiels gave Antrim hope but they lost momentum when key midfielder Neil McManus was forced off because of a leg injury.

Antrim failed to register a score in the final 15 minutes as Limerick ran out comfortable winners.

Antrim: Chris O'Connell; Ryan McCambridge, Neal McAuley, Aaron Graffin; Simon McCrory, Conor McKinlay, Michael Bradley; Neil McManus (capt), Ciaran Johnston; Paul Shiels, Daniel McKernan, Eoghan Campbell; Ciaran Clarke, PJ O'Connell, Matthew Donnelly. Subs: Seanan McToal, Odhran McFadden, Tomas McCann, James McShane, Tomas O Ciaran, Jackson McGreevy, Eddie McCloskey, Darren Hamill, Stephen McAfee, Conor Carson, Niall McKenna.

Limerick: Nickie Quaid; Stephen Walsh, Richie McCarthy, Seamus Hickey; Tom Condon, Wayne McNamara, Dan Morrissey; James Ryan, Paul Browne; David Reidy, Donal O'Grady (capt), Cian Lynch; Tom Morrissey, Shane Dowling, Adrian Breen.

Allianz Hurling League results

Saturday 21 February

Division 1A

Cork 1-24 0-17 Clare, Pairc Ui Rinn

Division 1B

Waterford 3-21 0-12 Laois, Fraher Field

Division 2A

London 0-7 3-12 Carlow, Ruislip

Sunday 22 February

Division 1A

Kilkenny 3-11 0-25 Dublin, Nowlan Park

Tipperary 2-18 0-20 Galway, Semple Stadium

Division 1B

Offaly 0-12 2-15 Wexford, Tullamore

Antrim 1-12 0-23 Limerick, Ballycastle

Division 2A

Wicklow 1-6 2-20 Kerry, Arklow

Derry 2-15 3-10 Westmeath, Owenbeg

Division 2B

Kildare 2-15 1-12 Down, Newbridge

Mayo 0-9 3-8 Meath, Castlebar

Armagh 1-18 2-10 Donegal, Athletic Grounds

Division 3A

Louth 4-17 3-7 Fermanagh, Darver

Monaghan 0-17 1-10 Roscommon, Castleblayney

Fingal 1-15 1-16 Tyrone, Parnells