WATCH | “The lads seized the opportunity” | Kiely reflects on Limerick’s demolition job on Kerry

Kiely’s side performed brilliantly to see off Kerry in Munster Hurling Cup semi-final after a long layoff.

Against Kerry in the Munster Hurling Cup semi-final, Kiely’s men produced a dominant display over their opposition scoring a 4-28 to 0-11 win.

Limerick had scored 1-5 by the 13th minute mark and held a lead of 1-8 to 0-2 at the first waterbreak.

Making his debut at the half time mark Adam English had a moment to remember as he bagged himself a goal on 53 minutes that moved Limerick 3-24 to 0-8 clear.

From that point Limerick continued putting up scores while on their way to a great victory and when talking about dusting off the cobwebs after a great performance, Kiely said

“We are actually still trying to blow off the cobwebs, we are only back a week and a half really to be honest. We’ve worked hard in the last twelve days but still blowing off the cobwebs. I’m happy with the attitude really was the big question back there coming into the game today, where is our attitude at and to be fair to the lads they gave a really positive response.”

Kerry rarely posed a threat to Limerick who had leads of nine, 15, 25 and 30 at the end of each quarter.

When asked about his expectations of the opposition particularly due to Kerry’s performance
against Tipperary, Kiely responded,

“I didn’t think about it really to be honest I was actually just more concerned with ourselves to see where we’d be at to be honest. To be fair to the lads they seized the opportunity I think we defended well, we kept them to ten or eleven points which is a really strong defensive display and when we had the ball I think we used it very well.

With covid restrictions, third level colleges hurling and Kilmallock’s journey to the Munster final, preparations have been far from ideal for Limerick.

Only eleven were available for the first night of training of the year Kiely admitted. That being such, the Galbally native was delighted with the response of the team who acquitted themselves exceptionally well in the TUS Gaelic Grounds.

“Overall, I think I’d be very happy with the performance. I think we worked hard that was evident, our tackling was really high and collectively they worked hard as a unit. There is a good unity within the group on the field and these games are very important for these lads because there are opportunities to lay down a marker to say listen to you can’t leave me out of the team the next day. Obviously, there’s going to be tougher challenges coming down the road”

“I’m happy with all the lads that came off the bench they made an impact and they worked hard; the tempo didn’t drop. Its always great getting some new young lads in and happy for them to get a game under there belt or some game time, at least it gives them a taste of it.

“It was a slow start we had eleven the first night, so we are building it up those who were involved with us last year had no break. Other than that, the Fitzgibbon cup is on so we’re releasing lads for that so there’s a bit of a balancing act going on.”

Up next for Limerick is Clare in the final and Kiely will be giving the Banner the utmost respect ahead of Saturday’s decider as they overcame Waterford in their semi-final.

“Very impressive yeah huge score line, two good teams out very strong. We have a huge battle ahead of us next week.”

Watch the interview in full below.