“We go out to win every game” | John Kiely clear on League targets after latest win

Aaron Gillane, Cathal O’Neill and Hurler of the Year Diarmaid Byrnes all found the target in their first appearance of the season.

After successive below par league campaigns, Limerick look poised for the knockout stages of the 2023 edition with the 12-point victory over Westmeath moving them within a point of ensuring a last-four berth.

In Mullingar, John Kiely’s men showed glimpses of their best in putting the hosts to the sword in a game where the result was never in doubt.

Conor Boyan hit the net in the opening half while Aaron Gillane, Cathal O’Neill and Hurler of the Year Diarmaid Byrnes all found the target in their first appearance of the season.

The final margin was 1-27 to 1-15 in Limerick’s favour with Kiely pleased with the manner of the performance.

“Probably a very strong first-half performance. To be fair to Westmeath, they came out and gave it socks in the second half and put it up to us. We created chances but just didn’t finish them. We were full value for what we had in the finish but ultimately we would have liked to get a few more scores.

The result leaves Limerick in second place on six points in their group of the league. Cork booked their place in the last four as they maintained their perfect start to the campaign with one place up for grabs in the final round.

Limerick have a cushion over Galway and Clare whilst also holding the head-to-head over both. As such, Limerick would need to lose to Wexford as well Clare and Galway both winning to see Limerick miss out on the semi-finals with Clare holding the best scoring difference of the three.

The way Limerick are hurling at the minute makes that scenario unlikely but Wexford have proved troublesome opponents in the past, inflicting defeat on the Shannonsiders in the first round in 2022.

And Kiely says his side are focused on the Leinster outfit this Sunday.

“We go out to win every game number one. We have given ourselves an opportunity to push on. We’ll go out the next weekend and do the best we can but we always get a fine tough game against Wexford, we always do. But we will be going out to win that game and drive on again.”

Another win would see them against either Kilkenny or Waterford in the last four with the April 23rd clash with the Deise looming ever closer.

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