“It almost makes the game feel like a loss” | Kiely unhappy with lacklustre Limerick defence

Tipperary struck Nickie Quaid’s net three times in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, something that Kiely said he was “very disappointed” about.

Limerick continued their unbeaten Allianz League campaign with a win over Tipperary on Saturday, but John Kiely expressed his disappointment speaking after the game.

Cian Lynch put in a Man-of-the-Match display on his return to the starting XV, on a night where Monaleen’s Donnacha Ó Dálaigh impressed once more, but it was the Limerick defence that were off the pace.

Tipperary struck Nickie Quaid’s net three times in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, something that Kiely said he was “very disappointed” about, and that his side typically “don’t make those mistakes”.

“As the game went on I think we improved as we went along, a couple of lads’ first game back; Peter, Aaron, Cian in particular. You could see the continuous improvement in terms of the quality of what we’re trying to do, that was probably the most pleasing part of it. Very disappointed to have conceded three goals in the manner in which we did, that was a sucker punch really to be honest. It almost makes the game feel like a loss in many respects because that’s just not us, we don’t make those mistakes. It’s something for us to go back and learn from in the week ahead.”

Limerick posted 26 points to get over the line in Cork, but the Premier stayed in touch by burying three goals past the All-Ireland champions.

The first goal of the game on the half-hour mark, as Silvermines man Jason Forde instinctively finished a sideline delivery past the onlooking Quaid.

Bonner Maher hit his side’s second goal, and Jake Morris would pop up with the third late on to pull the Premier within one, as they gave Limerick a real test.

“Of all the sides going you don’t gift up possession, in that manner, in that part of the pitch (to Tipperary) because they will punish you like they did tonight, so a bit to take from that. Disappointed with that aspect of the game.”

Kiely’s men are in pole position for a place in the semi-finals, and will travel to face Galway this Saturday at 1.15pm in what will be their final group game.

The Galbally native said that “the group are very fit and healthy” and that there may well be some more players featuring this coming weekend.

“We’ll see how Tuesday night goes in training, we have options available to us, the group are very fit and healthy at the moment so we’ll be looking to get some more bodies on the pitch (against Galway).”

The Shannonsiders remain unbeaten in 2024 league action, adding Tipperary to their list of victories this year, having already gotten the better of Antrim, Westmeath and Dublin.

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