Limerick manager Kiely happy with draw ahead of mammoth home date with Cork
LIMERICK are still alive in the Munster SHC following a pulsating 0-25 to 0-25 draw in Semple Stadium yesterday afternoon. John Kiely's side must win their final round robin tie with Cork to finish in the top three and qualify for the All-Ireland series.
However, they will need Waterford to beat Tipperary and see off Cork at the TUS Gaelic Grounds, 4pm, in order to reach the Munster final.
Following yesterday's game with Tipp, Kiely said he was pleased to have come away from Thurles with a result. "Happy with the result. We feel that we probably should have got the win too based on the scoring chances we had versus the number of scoring chances we converted.
"Really happy with the performance. Another incremental improvement again on the last day, which was another incremental improvement on the previous day. Our trajectory is in the right direction. We have had three really good performances on an improving scale.
"I think Tipperary were really efficient. When they got the chances, they took them in the first half. Jake Morris was exceptional. They caused us all sorts of difficulty.
"We would have been happy really with three points of a difference at half time given the breeze that was there. We came out in the second half and the breeze had slightly shifted, but we got off to a really strong start.
"That third quarter would have been something that we would be really happy with. We were dominant. I think in the second half we created 24 scoring chances to their 14, which is a reflection of the dominance that we had in the second half, but we just didn't put it on the scoreboard.
"It was one of those days that it could have gotten away from us. It didn't. It didn't because of the resolve and character that the group has.
"That showed when it was in the melting pot in the final quarter. I have to take my hat off to the lads. They were brilliant. They kept on doing the right thing. Kept on doing what we want them to do. Never dropped their heads and gave themselves that chance."
Tipperary's levelling score at the death was a big talking point after the game. John McGrath popped over a straightforward free, one that the Limerick manager wasn't fully sure should have been given.
"I haven't seen it back yet,” Kiely admitted. "Listen, there wasn't a lot of contact. That's a free that you get when you're one down, not one when you are one up."
Limerick's strength of panel proved crucial once more with Graeme Mulcahy, Peter Casey, Conor Boylan, David Reidy and Richie English all making a positive impact on the game when introduced.
Mulcahy sent over two crucial points, while Casey got one in an impressive cameo from the talented duo. An impact from all five is what Kiely was looking for.
"We had a quiet word with them before we left the dressing room. A lot of the lads had gone out (for the second half) and we were looking for that impact.
"It was huge. They all contributed hugely. It was needed and it was vital. Hats off to the lads. They were brilliant."
Kiely said it was too early to tell if there are any injury worries following the ferocious contest ahead of Sunday's must win clash with Cork in Limerick.
Both Cian Lynch and Gearóid Hegarty were hauled ashore by the Limerick manager long before the finish but it appears that their exits were for tactical reasons.
Elsewhere, Limerick's senior footballers qualified for the knockout stages of the Tailteann Cup following a 1-19 to 0-14 win over Carlow at Netwatch Cullen Park on Saturday evening last.
James Naughton and Peter Nash were the scorers in chief for Mark Fitzgerald's side with 12 points between them. The win for Fitzgerald's side sees them qualify with a game to spare. They place against Wicklow in their final game on June 2/3.