Limerick’s blistering start to the second half allowed them to take control of their Tailteann Cup group fate as they won 1-19 to 0-14 at a battling Carlow.

Jordan Morrisey notched the first point of the game inside the opening minute with Niall Hickey adding a swift second for Carlow.

If that was a shock to Limerick’s system, they soon asserted themselves on the first half, James Naughton’s trio of points sandwiched by James Liston and Cillian Fahy strikes to make it 0-2 to 0-5.

The visitors extended the lead to five when Brian Donovan’s point and two more from the influential Naughton cancelled out Colm Hulton’s home point.

Yet, Carlow, as evidenced by their comeback against Wicklow last weekend, are nothing if not dogged and gradually hauled back the deficit.

Two clinically fired frees from Darragh Foley and points from Ross Dunphy and Conor Crowley made it a one-point margin before Cathal Downes wastefully put a free wide for Limerick.

A third Foley free, continuing his scoring form in the Tailteann Cup after a seven-point haul against Wicklow, levelled the tie as half time arrived.

The interval though stalled Carlow’s momentum and a double Limerick substitution looked inspired as they burst into life. 

Paul Maher’s well-take goal was followed up by three points from Naughton, Downes and Donovan to re-establish a five-point cushion.

Peter Nash and Donovan pointed as Limerick extended a profitable spell, Donovan’s second score of the half their eighth in a row since the break in a match-defining period.

Foley’s fourth point made the difference seven points, but a skittish Carlow were unable to be clinical and reduce the gap further as the hour mark approached, with various bookings dished out for tactical fouls by both sides.

Dunphy’s second successful point gave the Cullen Park crowd a cheer but entering a frantic ten minutes, Limerick were in control with a seven-point buffer.

Peter Nash and Morrisey exchanged braces of points late on as the hosts pushed to finish with a flourish, Aaron Amond again a scoring substitute.

But this match was won by Limerick’s fast second half start and Nash’s third point of the half rounded off proceedings.

Limerick in pole position for an automatic QF place now whilst Carlow will take it to the wire in next weekend’s crunch final Group game with Longford as they bid to reach the knockout stages.