Limerick manager John Kiely says historic Munster final win 'felt like first title'

LIMERICK senior hurlers are today basking in the glory of achieving the sport's first ever six-in-a-row of Munster senior hurling championship wins.

John Kiely's Limerick side turned in a powerful second half display to overcome great rivals Clare 1-26 to 1-20 in front of their delirious supporters.

The win extended manager Kiely's winning run in finals with this Limerick side to 14, through a combination of League, Munster and All-Ireland deciders.

Towering half-forward Gearoid Hegarty notched a crucial second half goal in the 54th minute in a Man of the Match display for an impressive Limerick side who were defeating their opponents in the provincial decider for a third year in a row.

While Limerick will celebrate their success this week, the Shannonsiders will also have one eye on an All-Ireland semi-final fixture in four weeks time on Sunday, July 7 at Croke Park.

Asked what it meant to become the first county in hurling history to win since senior provincial titles in a row, Limerick manager John Kiely said: “To win today's final was first and foremost in our thoughts and preparations.

"In our levels of satisfaction and what it means to us straight away after the game, it is about winning today's game and this final against super opposition who put up a massive battle.

“They always do, we have huge, huge battles with these guys every time we go out to pay them and today was no different.

“We are delighted to get the win clearly and it felt like our first, that is all I will say to you. It means a lot to the group, it means a huge amount to the group. We just want to keep going.

"You just can't stop moving forward and the boys have a very clear understanding of the necessity for us to keep moving forward, to getting better and hitting the targets that we want to hit in terms of performance and that is all that matters to us at the end of the day.

“We are thrilled to have won it today. It is the end of that chapter for 2024, the Munster championship. We are thrilled to have come outthe right side of it, it means a huge amount to us. But we know we're after opening another chapter (All-Ireland series).”