Limerick hurlers receive positive injury news ahead of Munster Championship

AFTER a challenging spring marked by a series of injury setbacks, Limerick senior hurling manager John Kiely is finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Several key players have made their long-awaited returns from injury. 

Limerick's Barry Murphy, Kyle Hayes , Declan Hannon, Dan Morrissey, William O'Donoghue, David Reidy and Peter Casey all missed the round seven Allianz Hurling League clash against Wexford last weekend. Declan Hannon didn't play after suffering a sore leg before the Wexford game, while David Reidy had to pull out due to illness. 2024 All-Star Kyle Hayes has been sidelined with a minor hamstring injury. Hayes has returned to full training this week. 

"It's been challenging, I suppose with so many games in a very tight block. We've picked up a few hamstring injuries but nothing serious like last year. Last year, we picked up hamstring injuries that were six to twelve week hamstring injuries," said Limerick senior hurling manager John Kiely at the launch of the Munster Senior Hurling Championship. 

Kiely said Dan Morrissey's hamstring injury was the most serious injury in the squad. The Limerick defender has returned to training this week. 

"Dan Morrissey's hamstring injury was probably the most serious (injury) but he's back training this week and last week did a bit of running. I think he'll be good to go, it's just coming right for him at the right time."

Cathal O'Neill, Barry Murphy and William O'Donoghue also picked up hamstring injuries. 

"Cathal O'Neill, Barry Murphy and William O'Donoghue also had hamstring injuries. They were small, they weren't as serious. They'll resume training this week aswell, that's a positive. We'd like to get them into a consistent block of work for the weeks ahead."

Limerick midfielder Darragh O'Donovan made his first start for the Shannosiders for the first time since the 2023 All-Ireland final against Wexford last weekend. The Doon man was sidelined through injury for the majority of last year's Championship.

"Darragh O'Donovan as you saw played an hour last weekend which was great. He's had a calf injury over the last year, it has really challenged him and challenged the medical team. He came through that game really well the other night. His mobility and energy on the night was good.

"He felt good which was the most important (thing)  and he came out of the game feeling good aswell in the last couple of days. I'm delighted for him that he has that opportunity that hopefully press on for the next few weeks. He just needs a bit of hurling now  and a bit of consistent training now."

Na Piarsaigh clubman Peter Casey has returned from the broken ankle he picked up in last year's Munster Championship. Kiely said it is important to manage Casey's load after the injury he picked up last year. 

"Peter Casey is back to full training this week, his leg just gave him a bit of irritation. He had an incident in training where he went over on his leg and it just took a couple of weeks to settle down after it. It looked like not a lot but with the profile of his injury last year. We've to learn to accept that there will be times when his leg will be sore and he might need to be taken off his leg for a spell. We just need to manage him and manage his load," added Kiely. 

Mike Casey was forced off with a dead leg in Limerick's defeat to Wexford last weekend. 

"Mike had a nasty dead leg, it was a third man challenge. He was chasing another player and then collided with another player so it was a nasty dead leg."