All-Ireland winning manager John Kiely receives Honorary Doctorate from University of Limerick

The four time All-Ireland winning manager was honoured at a conferring ceremony at the Univeristy of Limerick on Tuesday.

Limerick’s All-Ireland winning manager John Kiely has been conferred with an Honorary Doctorate at the University of Limerick by President Professor Mey.

At the ceremony on Tuesday, Kiely was honoured alongside over 100 other elite sportspeople as they recognised the achievements of the Galbally man.

During his five year stint with Limerick, Kiely has overseen the Shannonsiders ending a 45-year wait for All-Ireland honours as well as completing a three-in-a-row of Liam MacCarthy titles earlier this June.

Limerick have also annexed four consecutive Munster championships as well as two League titles during his historic tenure.

Reflecting on the day, Kiely described the Honorary Doctorate “as a great honour.”

“It is a great honour for me today to have this honorary doctorate conferred on me by the University of Limerick. To have it bestowed in the University’s 50^th year makes it all the more special.

“I have been very fortunate to lead the Limerick senior hurlers during a time of great success over the last six years. I have enjoyed working with a very special group of young men, many of whom have graduated during that time from this University.

“My being honoured today is a recognition of what the group has achieved over the last six years and the deep impact it has had on the people of Limerick far and wide. Our spirits have soared, past wounds healed, and a new generation inspired. Young and old have come together to support and celebrate as they had only imagined.

“I want to thank the University for acknowledging my part in this wonderful group.

“I am deeply honoured and humbled to join a group of people from all walks of life, many of whom I have admired throughout my life. I am very honoured and grateful.”

UL President Professor Mey described the Limerick manager as “one of the great sporting leaders of our time” as he received the highest honour the University can bestow.

“On this day of sporting achievements, it is only fitting that you join on stage with one of the greatest sporting leaders of our time – multiple All-Ireland hurling manager John Kiely. I am delighted to welcome John and his family here today to join us in celebrating his own phenomenal achievements and those of our 107 sports scholarship recipients.”

UL President Professor Mey

107 of UL’s finest athletes from 19 different sports were presented with a scholarship from the UL Sports Scholarship Academy, the aim of which is to support dual-career student athletes to meet the requirements of their degree programme, while also honouring their sporting commitments.

To date, UL has invested almost €1m in the sports scholarship academy.

For Kiely, attention will slowly shift to the 2023 season as Limerick aim for an unprecedented four in a row of All-Ireland titles as they first aim to retain their Munster title for a fifth successive season for the first time in their history.