Limerick defeat Kilkenny to secure 14th National Hurling League title

Limerick 2-20
Kilkenny 0-15

By Tom Clancy

Limerick are National Hurling League winners for a 14th time, following a 11-point victory over Kilkenny at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

This victory was always likely for Limerick thanks to a first half which saw them enter the dressing room with a 1-13 to 0-10. Barry Nash’s stunning team goal a catalyst for the Treaty to assert control.

John Kiely was able to make four changes from the side that defeated Tipperary last month. But, from the side issued during the week, he started Colin Coughlan and Mike Casey with Declan Hannon and Kyle Hayes missing out. Cian Lynch was captain on the day.

This, of course, was the repeat of the 2022 All-Ireland Hurling Championship final, with the clash also between the reigning provincial champions. Kilkenny were sharper to settle with Billy Drennan and Richie Reid on target. Aaron Gillane’s trio of frees made it 0-3 each after 14 minutes.

The goal, on 18 minutes, gave Limerick the lead for the first time, a lead which they wouldn’t relinquish. After working the ball from the left-corner back position, Limerick eventually delivered to Gillane. A unselfishly passed to Nash who finished low beyond Eoin Murphy.

There was a crowd of 17,243 on Leeside, with the majority appearing to be supporting the side in green.

The half was closed with further points from Nash, Colin Coughlan and Cathal O’Neill.

The second half was a low-key affair but Limerick sealed the win when Gillane volleyed home for a second Limerick green flag, this time Flanagan the provider.



Next up for the Treaty is a trip to Tipperary, to face Waterford in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship 1st round on April 23rd. Kilkenny, meanwhile, entertain Westmeath the evening prior.

Scorers for Limerick: Aaron Gillane 1-7 (0-5 frees); Diarmaid Byrnes 0-5 (0-3 frees), Barry Nash 1-1; Seamus Flanagan 0-3; Darragh O’Donovan 0-2, Colin Coughlan, Cathal O’Neill 0-1 each.

Scorers for Kilkenny:
Billy Drennan 0-5 (0-5 frees), Adrian Mullen 0-3, Richie Reid, Paddy Deegan, Eoin Cody (0-1 free) 0-2 each, Huw Lawlor 0-1.

9 April 2023; Limerick captain Cian Lynch lifts the cup after the Allianz Hurling League Final match between Kilkenny and Limerick at Páirc Ui Chaoimh in Cork. Photo by Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile


Limerick:
Nicky Quaid (Effin); Sean Finn (Bruff), Mike Casey (Na Piarsaigh), Barry Nash (South Liberties); Diarmaid Byrnes (Patrickswell), Dan Morrissey (Ahane) ©, Colin Coughlan (Ballybrown); Darragh O’Donovan (Doon), Barry Murphy (Doon); Gearoid Hegarty (St. Patrick’s) Cian Lynch (Patrickswell), Cathal O’Neill (Crecora); Aaron Gillane (Patrickswell), Seamus Flanagan (Feoghanagh/Castlemahon), Peter Casey (Na Piarsaigh).

Subs: Tom Morrissey (Ahane) for Murphy (half-time), Richie English (Doon) for M. Casey (48), Conor Boylan (Na Piarsaigh), Donnacha Ó Dálaigh (Monaleen) for Flanagan (63), Shane O’Brien (Kilmallock) for P. Casey (67), Mark Quinlan (Garryspillane) for Byrnes (70).

Kilkenny:
Eoin Murphy (Glenmore); Mikey Butler (O’Loughlin Gaels), Tommy Walsh (Tullaroan), Padraig Walsh (Tullaroan); Richie Reid (Ballyhale Shamrocks), Huw Lawlor (O’Loughlin Gaels), David Blanchfield (Bennettsbridge); Conor Fogarty (Erin’s Own), Paddy Deegan (O’Loughlin Gaels); John Donnolly (Thomastown), Adrian Mullen (Ballyhale Shamrocks), Billy Ryan (Graigue Ballycallan); Billy Drennan (Galmoy), Martin Keoghan (Tullaroan), Eoin Cody © (Ballyhale Shamrocks).

Subs:
Cian Kenny (James Stephens) for Donnelly (half-time), Paddy Mullen (Ballyhale Shamrocks) for Fogarty (47), Timmy Clifford (Dicksboro) for Mullen (52), Gearoid Dunne (Tullaroan) for Drennan (56), Alan Murphy (Glenmore) for Ryan (56).

Referee:
Paud O’Dwyer (Carlow)

Social Sharing

Posted in ,

Limerick collect maiden League victory with Tipp triumph

Limerick 0-30Tipperary 1-23Limerick collected their first victory of the 2025 League campaign as they, in near usual fashion, ...
Read More

Limerick ladies fall to second league loss at home to Wexford

Limerick's ladies footballers remain without a win in Division 3 of the Lidl Ladies National Football League following ...
Read More

Limerick’s wait for League victory goes on

Limerick 0-13 (0-1-11)Wexford 0-17 (0-2-13)By Tom Clancy in RathkealeLimerick footballers must wait a little bit longer for their ...
Read More

Limerick ladies downed in opening league game of 2025

Limerick's began life in Division 3 of the Lidl Ladies Gaelic Football National League with a 0-14 to ...
Read More

McCarthy adds Ryan to Limerick Masters football coaching ticket               

Limerick Masters football manager Anthony McCarthy has revealed his backroom team for the coming season that includes a ...
Read More

History: Mungret St. Paul’s collect deserved All Ireland Junior title

Mungret St. Paul’s 0-12Na Dúnaibh 0-4By Tom Clancy at Parnell ParkMungret St. Paul’s are All-Ireland champions. That is ...
Read More

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