Progress vital as hurlers gear up for Cork

This Saturday, Limerick will have their first chance of 2020 to win silverware as they take on Cork in the final of the Munster Hurling League in LIT the Gaelic Grounds. The game is part of a doubleheader as the same sides meet in the McGrath Cup decider at the same venue.

These sides have had a number of meetings in the last few years with Limerick manager John Kiely expecting a tough assignment against the Rebels, who defeated Limerick at the Ennis Road venue in the first round of the Munster Championship last year.

“They’ve been very strong in this competition so far, caused us a lot of trouble last year so we know what to expect don’t we.”

Limerick qualified for the final of the tournament after their December victory over Tipperary was backed up by a 1-27 to 1-19 win against Clare in Sixmilebridge last Sunday.

Speaking after the game, Limerick manager John Kiely was very impressed with his side’s performance in overthrowing a Clare side that defeated All-Ireland Champions Tipperary in late December.

“It’s our first outing of 2020 and I think in terms of what we are looking for, the lads delivered.”

“I think our attitude was good and we worked hard as a team. What we are trying in training with the lads is what we are seeing on the field and its looking good for this time of the year.”

Thus far several new faces have been given game time and have impressed in their minutes.

While Darren O’Connell and Adrian Breen gained the plaudits against Tipperary, last Sunday Ronan Connolly and Josh Considine showed their class as Kiely looks to bulk up his squad ahead of what promises to be another hectic year for Limerick.

Referring to the new members of the panel, Kiely said:

“Very happy with the young lads. They have made a great impression since they came in. They’re working very hard, they have a fantastic attitude and they have assimilated well into the group as a whole. They have given me plenty of cause for optimism, not just for this year, but for the future as well.”

Kiely was also clear that their game plan will remain the same as it has always since he took over with Limerick looking to regain the form of late 2018 and early 2019 that saw them capture numerous titles.

“We are not trying to change our style of play, absolutely not. We are committed to our own principles of what is important to us and how we want to play the game and that will never change. We are developing the decision making skills around that, what is the right thing to do when we have it.”

However, Kiely laughed off comments suggestion that a win on Saturday would prove the catalyst for an All-Ireland win, just as it did in 2018, but said his side are moving in the right direction.

“They’re not related but if you’re looking for the right things at the right time of the year, so far so good.”