WATCH: “It was a really really important part of our pre-season”- Kiely not forgetting boxing camp in December of last year

Many will have forgotten but last winter, John Kiely and his Senior Limerick hurling team took part in a white collar boxing night as a fundraiser at the South Court Hotel on December 9th. Fast forward nine months and Limerick are preparing for their first All Ireland final in eleven years. As seen in the footage below, trainer Ken Moore was incredibly impressed with the sides attitude and fitness, something that has been noted numerous times throughout their run to the final.

Manager John Kiely was delighted when asked about the boxing as he feels it has added immensely to his players. The intense training has clearly benefited the players who followed up the event with promotion from Division 1B and now find themselves in the Championship decider against last years champions Galway. Kiely has commended his players for their commitment to the physical aspects of the training camp in the club.

“The boxing is interesting that you bring it up because not many bring it up. I’m delighted you did because I think it was a really really important part of our pre-season. It was a gamble. You’re putting players in the ring and they’re going at it full tilt, no headgear, no nothing and they’re training really hard for six or seven weeks for it.”

In such a disciplined sport, Kiely outlines how his squad really bought into their new surroundings. While it was a fundraiser, the players did not shy away from the hard work that comes with boxing training. The benefit of the boxing has been mentioned by a number of players as they have outlined how a team spirit was created in St Francis Boxing Club last December and has grown in strength since.

“They were in the gym, two or  three times a week, training hard for the boxing. It’s different training, no hurleys, skipping ropes and boxing gloves but they loved it. They took to it like ducks to water.”

See the full interview with John Kiely and much more on our YouTube channel below.