Hannon, Hayes and Casey to back for Waterford with John Kiely expecting a “clean bill of health” for Munster kick-off

Into the team came Mike Casey, who was removed in the second half, and Colin Coughlan with Limerick rarely missing the All-Star duo.

Limerick’s band of hurling superstars added to ever-burgeoning lists of accolades on Sunday afternoon with a comprehensive win over Kilkenny in the National League final.

Without ever really hitting top stride, Limerick powered away from their opponents in a rematch of last year’s All-Ireland final. But while there was only a score in it last July, there was a clear gulf in Pairc Ui Chaoimh as the Shannonsiders cruised to the title.

John Kiely’s men were struck with a pair of blows prior to throw in with Declan Hannon and Kyle Hayes ruled out. Into the team came Mike Casey, who was removed in the second half, and Colin Coughlan with Limerick rarely missing the All-Star duo.

Speaking after the game, Kiely provided a positive update on Hannon, Hayes and Casey with all expected to be fit for Waterford in the first round of the championship.

“Pre-match was fairly simple now to be fair, Declan (Hannon) just has the flu has had it all week so yeah he’ll be fine next week he’ll be back in training. Kyle (Hayes) just has a very minor strain on Tuesday night so that didn’t respond well early in the week. He could have played today but obviously, that wouldn’t be a wise decision. He’ll come back in next week and train probably next week. Other than that, a clean bill of health.

Mike (Casey) came off with a HIA so um he’s been assessed as we speak. He got a bang over underneath the stand in the first half and he appeared to be absolutely fine initially but subsequently developed some dizzyness so we got him off.”

The losess of Hayes and Hannon added to that of William O’Donoghue who was ruled out with suspension after the semi-final victory. But without three of last year’s All-Ireland winning XV, Limerick continued as ever, the juggernaut rolling on.

From the team that beat Kilkenny in Croke Park, there was five newcomers into the team, Coughlan, Cathal O’Neill, Barry Murphy, Cian Lynch and Peter Casey with Kiely delighted with the exposure as they prepare for a gruelling Munster hurling schedule.

“Lads that come in, I thought did really really well and you know for a positive coming into the game, I would have said okay, we’d love to have had the lads available to play it but not having them asks questions of others and sure isn’t that a great thing to have now for them as a reference point going into the championship, they have another game under their belt. “

“Colin Coughlan, it’s another full game under his belt to bring back, that’s a huge positive for us. Cathal O’Neill got out to midfield and got a bit of game time in midfield, that’s something we’ve been looking to do for a while but didn’t get the opportunity till today so you know little bits and pieces like that. It wasn’t seamless but it’s great exposure for them to have.”

A league win and a clean bill of health, Kiely and co couldn’t have asked for a better Spring as the championship again looks ominous for the other contenders.

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