Limerick senior hurling manager John Kiely: 'We are still in a building process'

ALLIANZ HURLING LEAGUE

CORK V LIMERICK
Date: Saturday, February 1
Venue: SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Throw-in: 7.30pm
Referee: Sean Stack

LIMERICK senior hurling manager John Kiely says his side will still be in a building process over the next few weeks.
Manager Kiely said they are looking forward to Saturday evening's Allianz Hurling League Division 1A opener with Cork at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, a repeat of last year's All-Ireland semi-final.

“The next number of weeks (we) are still in a building process. Even going through the league you are building towards the championship. So far, so good and we'll keep our heads down and keep working hard for the next few weeks, ” John Kiely said.

“We love playing in Páirc Ui Chaoimh and it's always a fantastic venue and obviously an incredible opposition as well. We're looking forward to that trip down there. It'll be a tough contest, I've absolutely no doubt.”

Limerick defetaed Wateford 1-21 to 0-18 in a challenge game last Sunday ahead of this weekend's trip to Leeside.

Seven points in a row midway through the second half proved to be the difference as Limerick recorded a six-point victory over their Munster rivals. Manager Kiely feels his side will need to improve on their shooting accuracy this weekend.

“It was a good dominant spell for us, we used the ball well. We were doing well on our own puck-out and we were more accurate. Ultimately in the first half our accuracy wasn't great. One of the big takeaways from the game is that we need to work on our shooting. I'm happy but it's another stepping stone towards our first round of the league .”

Limerick had a bye on the opening weekend of the National Hurling League., when Kilkenny, Cork and Tipperary all recorded victories in round one, Division 1A fixtures.Seven teams are competing in Division 1A of the league this year.

The Rebels cruised past an understrength Wexford last weekend in the opening fixture of the league. Cork's Declan Dalton and Brian Hayes impressed scoring 1-9 between them in their side's victory.

Dalton will miss this weekend's clash against Limerick after a receiving a red card last weekend.Darragh O'Donovan, Declan Hannon, Barry Nash, Mike Casey Cathal O'Neill, Peter Casey and Diarmuid Byrnes didn't take part in Sunday's challenge match against Waterford at the TUS Gaelic Grounds.

“There's a few fellas carrying a few knocks but nothing major,” Kiely added.

2020 hurler of the year Gearoid Hegarty, Donnacha Ó Dálaigh, Fergal O'Connor, Eddie Stokes and Aidan O'Connor were some of the players who impressed against Waterford last weekend.

Patrick O'Donovan, Colin Coughlan, Adam English, Aidan O'Connor and Shane O'Brien were rested in the Fitzgibbon Cup round three clash between Univeristy of Limerick and Mary Immaculate College. All five Fitzgibbon Cup players take their place on the Limerick starting XV this weekend. 

Limerick panelists Cian Scully, Vince Harrington, Oisin O'Farrell and Conor Hanley Clarke were all in action in the Fitzgibbon Cup derby on Wednesday afternoon. Doon's Eddie Stokes is also part of the Limerick senior hurling panel. Stokes is part of the UCC team that defeated MTU Cork last Wednesday.

UCC and UL have advanced directly into the Fitzgibbon Cup semi-finals. DCU host Mary I and TUS Midwest play MTU Cork in the last six of the competition on Wednesday and Thursday.