Limerick ramp up preparations for Munster Senior Hurling Championship opener with Tipperary

THE LIMERICK senior hurlers are ramping up their Munster Hurling Championship preperations. John Kiely's charges begin their Munster Senior Hurling Championship campaign against Tipperary on April 20. 30,000 to 35,000 supporters are expected to attend the Munster SHC round one fixture in FBD Semple Stadium, Thurles on Easter Sunday.

“It's all geared towards April 20 now and the weeks thereafter, trying to be the best we can be for maybe those six weeks,” said Limerick manager John Kiely

Kiely feels it is a very quick run in between the league and the start of the Munster Championship.

“When you think about the number of sessions, there's a very small number of sessions between the now and the championship."

In the last five years, Limerick have won four All-Ireland titles and five Munster Championships. Despite that, Kiely believes his side have their greatest challenge ahead of them.

“We have a really fantastic challenge ahead of us in the weeks and months ahead. That's what really attracts us to go back and go at it again. This is a major challenge for us, there's no doubt about that.”

“The team is evolving, the player group is evolving. I think 20 of the 2018 panel are no longer part of this group. That's a really significant number, we are gone beyond the half way point of the transition around to a completely new group.”

“That will continue in the years ahead and it's for us to still continue to be competitive at the highest level. That's always got to be the baseline for each season and when the opportunity comes to cease a title. Then it's up to you to cease that opportunity. First of all you have to be competitive in order to get out of Munster and in order to get to a Munster final.”

Meanwhile, the Limerick U20's face Waterford in Fraher Field this evening in round three of the Munster Hurling Championship at 7:30pm.