John Allen admits Limerick will need to improve after last Sunday's narrow Allianz Hurling League opening round win over Antrim.

When the counties met in last year's championship, Limerick were facile 32-point winners, but on this occasion substitute David Breen's second half goal was all that separated them.

"We were very poor and I think mentally we weren't right. Maybe we thought we'd always get the scores that we needed but at times we didn't even look like getting chances, never mind goals," the Treaty County manager told the Limerick Leader.

"If you're in the wrong mind-set, it can be difficult to switch it in the middle of the game but it was a disappointing performance and we have to be much better than that."

Allen is hoping last weekend's scare will have rid Limerick of any complacency which might have been there ahead of the visit of Carlow to the Gaelic Grounds on Sunday week.

"Carlow were very competitive against Wexford last weekend and we can't take them for granted or start thinking about any other game until we get over them. We need to start improving straight away," the Cork man stressed.