WATCH: John Kiely “more than happy” with Ennis draw

A late brace of frees was enough for Limerick to emerge from Ennis with a 2-11 to 1-14 draw against Clare and secure top spot in the division.

Speaking to the media after the game, Limerick Manager John Kiely said he was delighted that the game went ahead.

“We were glad it went ahead unlike some of the other games even though conditions were very very difficult for the players in particular.

“I think the players on both sides really stepped up to the mark in terms of taking on the conditions and just getting on with the game the best they could and to be fair they didn’t serve up a bald old contest at all.”

Limerick took control of the game in the lead up to half time but Clare responded with a quick fire 1-1 early in the second half.

It was an intense contest and Kiely was for the most part happy with the point and the way his side battled back in the dyings stages.

“Any day you can come down here and get something and take it home with you, you can be more than happy with it”

Kiely also identified some inconsistencies in the refereeing performance

“We never gave up on it, a couple of balls were brought forward for frees, you know and that made a big difference I think in care of the free-taking for them.

“For us on the other side, we weren’t quite getting the same yardage maybe when they were remonstrating with our frees. On four occasions, I think they remonstrated and the ball wasn’t brought forward and on four occasions we remonstrated and it was brought forward.

“That was a bit of an issue but all in all it was a good battle on a hard winters day here and I think it sets it up for the next phase again.”