Limerick senior hurling manager John Kiely: 'It's a learning curve' for the younger players

LIMERICK senior hurling manager John Kiely feels it is a learning curve for the players who have joined the panel this year.

“We've had a lot of young lads come in there now. It's a learning curve for them. They've worked very hard throughout the month of December. For a lot them now, they're heading off playing Fitzgibbon Cup over the next couple of week, we wish them well with that.

“It's marathon rather than a sprint with these guys. It's a case of come in learn the ropes and build on each week.”

It was a busy weekend for the Limerick senior hurlers. The Shannonsiders faced Antrim as well as Dublin in challenge matches over the space of 48 hours at UL last weekend. 

Ten players who featured in Limerick's All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Cork last summer were in action in UL at the weekend. Cian Lynch, Gearoid Hegarty, Kyle Hayes, Seamus Flanagan, Aidan O'Connor, Adam English, Shane O'Brien, Dan Morrissey, William O'Donoghue and Diarmaid Byrnes were some of the Limerick regulars who lined against Antrim and Dublin.

Manager Kiely and his team are continuing pre-season preparations.

“It's been a tough week weather wise to get a couple of games in this weekend. I have to thank all the backroom team for all the work they've done to making sure we got these games played. Delighted to be back on the pitch,” he said on Sunday last.

It was a challenging week for the Limerick senior hurlers to get pitches due to the adverse weather.

“It's was a tough week. Listen, everybody has worked hard and it's all behind us now. I'm looking forward to next week and getting a bit of work done.”

Challenge matches have now replaced the pre-season GAA competitions. The Limerick senior hurling manager feels it's giving his side more flexibility.

“It's not for me to decide, I just play according to whatever set-up is there. We're quite happy to play our challenge matches. They are flexible is the one thing, I would say. If you are part of a competition is doesn't have that flexibility. There's no major pressure on us.”

The Treaty County have a bye in the opening weekend of the Division 1A of the Allianz National Hurling League.

“We'll make use of the week. We've a challenge game that week, we're playing Waterford. They have a bye on the other side as well. It suits us fine. Once we're out and we are working getting ready for the competitions ahead, we're happy.”

Some of the new players were afforded their opportunities in the Limerick jersey in the two challenge games played last weekend.

Patrick O'Donovan, Ethan Hurley. Evan O''Leary and Hugh Flanagan were some of the new players to put their hands up at ULs North Campus.

Kilmallock man Shane O'Brien scored 1-4 in Limerick's victory over Antrim on Friday night. Aidan O'Connor was on target with 0-11 in his side's six-point defeat to Dublin. Some of the players will now switch their focus to the Fitzgibbon Cup this week