Oran Kearney scored two of the Linfield goals

Limavady, under new boss Paul Kee, had gone in front through Niall Cooke's breakaway goal on 20 minutes.

But goals from Oran Kearney, Glenn Ferguson and Aidan O'Kane had the Belfast Blues 3-1 up by the interval.

Scores from O'Kane, Michael Gault and Mark Picking, plus Brendan Canning's red card completed Limavady's misery.

Limavady's opener had come from a clearance upfield, with Cooke neatly lifting the ball over Linfield keeper Alan Mannus.

Linfield levelled on 40 minutes when Kearney headed in from close-range after Ferguson had nodded the ball across goal from a corner.

David Jeffrey's side went in front in the 45th minute when O'Kane's effort rebounded off Ferguson and into the net.

In first-half stoppage-time, O'Kane scored after keeper Michael Doherty had missed the ball.

O'Kane got his second 15 minutes from time, staying just onside to net from close-range.

Within a minute it was 5-1 with Gault pouncing on a loose ball for his second.

United substitute Canning was shown a straight red for kicking out at Michael Gault on 78 minutes.

Just before the final whistle, Picking volleyed in number six.