A first minute score from Stephen Kelly showed ominous signs for the visitors after just 53 seconds of the game, and a searing run from Kelly, the half forward who played in both International Rules series games in Australia last autumn, broke open the Wexford rearguard sufficiently for Keating to shoot first time and goal after just three minutes.

A Muiris Gavin free and Keating’s first point on 18 minutes put the home side 1-3 to 0-1 in front, with Wexford captain Mattie Forde scoring off a right-sided free.

John Hudson struck over his fourth league score on 24 minutes, as Wexford rallied through a Gary O’Grady point and Forde’s second free for a 0-4 to 1-6 deficit at the break.

Limerick really began to motor in the first 15 minutes of the second half. Kelly hit over their first score of the period, allied to Muiris Gavin (free) and a 48th minute goal from Horan, following through on a long searching ball from Gavin to blast an unstoppable shot home from 10 yards.

The Munster men’s 2-9 to 0-4 lead was eaten into by a welcome goal for Forde seven minutes later, and with Limerick’s only score in the final 10 minutes from Horan, Wexford closed the deficit to four points with Scott Doran, Leigh O’Brien and Forde (0-2) rounding off the scoring.