Kiely’s Top 10 | #9 | 14-man Limerick send out statement with Pairc Ui Chaoimh draw

Kiely has ushered in an unprecedented period of success over Limerick.

With John Kiely reaching 30 championship games in charge of Limerick, it seems fitting to reflect on some of the best that the Shannonsiders have produced under the Galbally native.

Those 30 games have yielded 22 wins at a 73% strike rate. That has also equated to three All-Ireland titles in four years as well as four successive Munster titles.

Limerick completed the four in a row in the province this year which books Limerick’s place in the All-Ireland semi-finals for a fifth successive season.

The defending champions return to action on 3 July and with a four week break, we look back on some of Limerick’s best days under Kiely.

Already we have looked at some notable omissions and number ten on the list.

Today we continue with #9, an instant classic in Pairc Ui Chaoimh from 2018.

Cork 1-25 : 0-28 Limerick

Munster Senior Hurling Championship | 2 June 2018 in Pairc Ui Chaoimh

Despite beating Tipperary the previous week for John Kiely’s first championship win, Limerick really put the country on notice with a battling display in Cork against the defending champions to earn a draw on Leeside.

A youthful Limerick, who were reduced to 14 men in the first half were never found wanting as Kyle Hayes pounced on a loose ball late on to ensure a share of the spoils in a titanic contest.

Cian Lynch, who was imperious throughout, had Limerick’s opener as they raced into a 0-3 to 0-1 lead early on.

But Cork responded in kind with four of their own as Limerick lost captain Declan Hannon to injury as William O’Donoghue came into proceedings as an auxiliary wing back as Dan Morrissey shifted inwards.

The hosts had moved two clear by the time Aaron Gillane received his marching orders for an off the ball incident.

Cork stretched that lead in Gillane’s absence but a some inspirational scores from Tom Morrissey who took over the free taking duties, had Limerick within two at 0-14 to 0-12 at the interval.

Patrick Horgan had the first score of the second half but Limerick responded through Lynch, Graeme Mulcahy and Morrissey to level.

Horgan then slipped in for a goal to re establish the lead but that only seemed to invigorate Limerick and in particular, Seamus Flanagan who hit three on the trot before Darragh O’Donovan pulled the Shannonsiders ahead.

Points from Morrissey, Lynch and Hayes had Limerick further in front before the toll of being a man down started to show.

Cork hit four on the bounce to move into a 1-24 to 0-26 lead approaching the final whistle with Darragh Fitzgibbon taking his tally to 0-4.

Diarmaid Byrnes and Horgan traded frees with Limerick trailing by one before Hayes’ late intervention.

There was still time for one more Cork attack but the excellent Sean Finn produced an otherworldly block to ensure the stalemate.

An instant classic which made for an intriguing semi-final two months later.

Scorers for Limerick: Tom Morrissey 0-8 (5fs), Séamus Flanagan 0-6, Cian Lynch 0-3, Darragh O’Donovan, Graeme Mulcahy, Diarmaid Byrnes (2fs), and Kyle Hayes 0-2 each, Gearóid Hegarty, Dan Morrissey, Aaron Gillane (f) 0-1 each.

Scorers for Cork: Patrick Horgan 1-11 (8fs, 165), Darragh Fitzgibbon 0-4, Conor Lehane 0-3, Daniel Kearney and Shane Kingston 0-2 each, Luke Meade, Mark Coleman, and Colm Spillane 0-1 each.

Limerick: Nickie Quaid; Seán Finn, Mike Casey, Richie English; Diarmaid Byrnes, Declan Hannon, Dan Morrissey; Darragh O’Donovan, Cian Lynch; Tom Morrissey, Kyle Hayes, Gearóid Hegarty; Séamus Flanagan, Aaron Gillane, Graeme Mulcahy.

Subs: William O’Donoghue for Hannon (7, injured), David Dempsey for Hegarty (55), Paul Browne for O’Donovan (61), Barry Murphy for Mulcahy (62), Pat Ryan for Flanagan (64).

Cork: Anthony Nash; Seán O’Donoghue, Damien Cahalane, Colm Spillane; Mark Ellis, Christopher Joyce , Mark Coleman; Darragh Fitzgibonn, Bill Cooper; Conor Lehane, Dean Brosnan, Daniel Kearney; Patrick Horgan, Séamus Harnedy, Shane Kingston.

Subs: Tim O’Mahony for O’Donoghue, Luke Meade for Brosnan (both half-time), Michael Cahalane for Kingston (60), Jamie Coughlan for Lehane (70).

Referee: James Owens (Wexford).