Munster Senior Hurling League Preview

The 2018 All-Ireland Champions, Limerick, will be in competitive action for the first time since their triumph in Croke Park this Friday when they take on Tipperary in the opening round of the 2019 Munster Senior Hurling League.

Limerick did compete in the Fenway hurling classic where the rules were altered dramatically but didn’t seem to affect Kiely’s side who picked up another piece of silverware in 2018 after victories over Wexford and Cork. 

After months of celebrations, Kiely is looking forward to the new year and is hopeful Limerick can emulate their feats of 2018 but is keen not to focus too much on the previous year saying, “you won’t hear defence of the All-Ireland title coming from me. What happened in 2018 is pretty much behind us and it’s a case of looking forward to 2019.”

Thus, Friday night gives Kiely and his side the perfect opportunity to build on 2018 as they face a Tipperary side who will be rejuvenated with the reappointment of Liam Sheedy who led the county to the All-Ireland title in 2010.

This is the fourth year of the Co-op Superstores Munster SHL and has provided valuable game time for players over the past number of years with the likes of Kyle Hayes, Seamus Flanagan and Aaron Gillane all getting their Limerick debuts in the competition.

Limerick have reached the final of the league each year losing the 2016 and 2017 deciders to Clare and Cork respectively before overcoming Clare 0-16 to 0-10 in the Gaelic Grounds earlier this year to earn their first title. 

Indeed, Limerick have only lost a solitary group game in the competition since its inception, a defeat at the hands of Cork in the Gaelic Grounds in 2017.

As for Tipperary, they will enter the competition for the first time having opted out of the competition for the first three years. With Kerry also competing it will be the first time that each Munster county will compete and thus the teams will be divided into two groups with the top team in each facing each other in the final.

John Kiely is yet to name a squad for the competition but expect a changed side from the All-Ireland winning XV such is the strength of the panel at his disposal with Kiely’s main focus in this league, “just going out to play the best we can on every occasion.” From last season’s starting 15 that won the competition, 10 of these players would also start the All-Ireland Final.

The participation of the Na Piarsaigh will be in doubt as their season only finished three weeks ago when they were beaten in the Munster Club Final.

They may be spared where they will be available for only their second League campaign in four years having reached the All-Ireland club Finals in 2016 and 2018.

Tipperary will be eager to impress new manager Sheedy who in first year in chargd led his side to a Munster Championship, which they would defend in 2009 before capturing the All-Ireland the following year. 

Limerick face Kerry this Thursday in Tralee in their second game with the final fixed for the 13th of January and begin their Division 1A Allianz league campaign on January 27 in Wexford.