Unfancied Limerick - having knocked out Cavan and Offaly in the qualifiers - went behind after the game was delayed by five minutes due to crowd congestion.

Mayo went ahead by four points before Limerick registered a score - with three points for Conor Mortimer and the fourth for James Horan.

However, Limerick battled back and points and John Quane, Micheal Reidy (3) registered scores before Jason Stokes got the all-important goal in the 32nd minute which saw the Shannonsiders run into the lead.

Mortimer had grabbed one back but for the last 18 minutes of the half Mayo failed to score.

Conor Mullane, who set up Limerick's goal, scored the last point of the half to leave a clean goal between the sides.