Manager Kiely says second half errors cost Limerick dear against Cork
LIMERICK senior hurling manager John Kiely feels that second half errors are what cost his side a victory from their Allianz Hurling League opener with Cork at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
Kiely’s charges held an eight-point half time advantage down by the Lee but they were unable to keep up a ferocious first half pace and Shane Kingston’s point at the death saw Cork to the win.
The Galbally man was happy with what his side produced in the first half but cut a frustrated figure when talking about the second half display.
"We got off to a pretty decent start and controlled the game in the first half," he said.We worked really well and had lots of energy about us.
"We were efficient on the ball, created some good scoring chances and put ourselves in a really good position at half time. We would have been happy with that.
"Turnaround then in the second half and we were a little bit off. Too many mistakes, too many errors, turned over too much ball and you can’t afford to do that. Especially, when you are up against a really good side and they punished us when we made mistakes.”
At this stage of the year that second half display won’t worry Limerick too much but it will still be a source of frustration. Kiely felt that a number of factors contributed to Limerick’s sluggish second half.
"Ultimately, the opposition put you under pressure and you respond accordingly. We just didn’t cope in the second half as well as we would like, or expect from ourselves.
"The boys will be disappointed in that aspect of the game but it’s the first game of the league. We will have to double down this week, get back on the training field and work hard.
"Whatever way the game kind of panned out, it was kind of messy. The serious injury to Robbie O’Flynn broke the momentum of the second half as well. We have a lot of work to do, we know that.”
David McCarthy, Shane O’Brien, Ciaran Barry and Donnacha Ó Dálaigh all made their league debut’s in the defeat and Kiely was happy with the contribution that was made.
"When we run lads off the bench we are looking for an impact. They are all looking to put in the best performance that they can and build on that performance from game to game.”