“It’s proper championship stuff now” | John Kiely happy with incremental improvement as Limerick look ahead to Cork

Despite not getting the win, Kiely remained upbeat about his teams display, saying they “should have had the win based on the scoring chances.”

Limerick will find themselves in an unfamiliar position this Sunday as they face potential elimination from the Munster Championship following their draw with Tipperary. The Shannonsiders know anything but a victory against Cork in the TUS Gaelic Grounds will mean the end of their campaign.

Boss John Kiely stressed how high the stakes are for the Cork game saying, “we’ve got to win next weekend, Cork have got to win next weekend, it’s proper championship stuff now.”

His side will need their supporters to get over the line next Sunday, and Kiely urged the Treaty faithful to get to the Ennis Road to support the team. 

“We have great support, Cork have great support, it will all be required. I hope our crowd have their tickets got and will be there to shout the boys on. These boys have given them a lot these last number of years and supporters have been on this journey with us.”

Despite not getting the win in Thurles, the Galbally native remained upbeat about his teams display, saying his side “should have had the win based on the scoring chances.”

While Limerick may be disappointed to have not come away with the win, Kiely was pleased with how his team continued to show “incremental” improvements on previous performances. A hard-fought victory over Waterford was followed by a disappointing defeat to Clare, but the Limerick boss is relatively happy with where his side is at. 

“Our trajectory is in the right direction, three really good performances on an improving scale.

“We would have been really happy with a deficit of three points at half-time given the breeze that was there. We got off to a really strong start in the second half. We were dominant, in the second half we created 24 scoring chances to their 14 which is a reflection of the dominance we had. We just didn’t put it on the scoreboard entirely.” 

21 May 2023; Limerick manager John Kiely during the Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship Round 4 match between Tipperary and Limerick at FBD Semple Stadium in Thurles, Tipperary. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Tipperary had the advantage going into the second half, but the Limerick manager highlighted the impact of his substitutes, as Peter Casey and Graeme Mulcahy came off the bench to change the game in the second half, Mulcahy scoring a brace and Casey adding one.

“It was huge, they all contributed hugely. It was one of those days that it could have got away from us – it didn’t because of the resolve and the character that the group has.”

The Treaty faithful will be pleased to learn that there is “nothing major” with regard to any injury concerns ahead of the game as Limerick welcome the Rebels to the Gaelic Grounds this Sunday knowing only victory will do.

Please accept YouTube cookies to play this video. By accepting you will be accessing content from YouTube, a service provided by an external third party.

YouTube privacy policy

If you accept this notice, your choice will be saved and the page will refresh.


GAA coverage on Sporting Limerick is brought to you in association with Noels Menswear, shop online here or visit in Dooradoyle, Limerick City or Newcastle West.

Social Sharing

Posted in

Fitzgerald magic helps Monaleen to Premier U20 hurling title

Monaleen are champions once again with the clubs' Premier U20 hurlers beating Bruff by 0-15 to 1-11 in ...
Read More

Mungret St. Paul’s Ladies make history with Midleton win

Mungret St. Paul's are celebrating this Saturday evening. The ever improving club have now annexed their first Munster ...
Read More

Football glory for Adare, Rathkeale, Cappagh and St. Kieran’s

There was a quartet of Limerick football titles handed out over the weekend. Adare claimed a fourth ever ...
Read More

Round-up: No Munster joy for Doon, Newcastle West or Feenagh Kilmeedy

By Tom Clancy There was a trio of narrow defeats for Limerick's three representatives in the quarter-finals of ...
Read More

Limerick scoop four All-Stars at 2024 PWC Awards

Munster champions Limerick claimed another quartet of All-Star awards on Friday evening, as Nickie Quaid, Dan Morrissey, Kyle ...
Read More

Doon finally reach the promised land with one-point win over Na Piarsaigh

Doon are Limerick SHC champions for the first time following a 0-16 to 2-9 victory over Na Piarsaigh ...
Read More

Goals fire Newcastle West to Premier Intermediate glory

Newcastle West will be playing senior hurling next year after they earned a 2-12 to 1-11 win over ...
Read More

Glory Days – Hurling titles for Croagh-Kilfinny, Feenagh-Kilmeedy and Monaleen

There was a trio of exciting and close hurling finals played on Saturday, with each piece of silverware ...
Read More