Limerick senior hurling manager John Kiely provides fitness update on Kyle Hayes

LIMERICK senior hurling manager John Kiely has provided a fitness update on Kyle Hayes, who has been out of action since August after suffering a neck injury while playing for Kildimo-Pallaskenry in the Limerick senior hurling championship.

“Kyle is doing a bit of work. He has more to do. We're monitoring that. Obviously, it was a very serious injury and we want to make sure that when we do get him back, he's absolutely 100% right, That's the most important thing” manager Kiely said after Saturday's Co-Op Superstores Munster Hurling League final win over Waterford.

Manager Kiely also said defender Barry Nash is making ‘great progress’.

The Limerick senior hurlers won a fourth Munster Hurling League when easing past Waterford by eight points in Mallow on Saturday.

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The 0-23 to 0-15 victory is a timely boost for Limerick ahead of the start of their Allianz Hurling League Division 1A campaign, on Sunday, February 1 against Waterford at Azzurri Walsh Park, 2pm throw-in.

Kiely is hoping Limerick can improve from last year's Allianz League campaign after they finished fifth in Division 1A.

“We have a lot to do to make sure we have our own ship in order going down to Walsh Park. It will be a big challenge, We’ve definitely a bit of confidence built into the group after the Munster League. We have to tap into that now.

“We didn't have a good league last year and it was very disappointing, particularly the latter stages of it. It's very important to us and that game is really important to us,” added Kiely.

Limerick are currently carrying 41 players on their squad and Kiely confirmed that will be reviewed ahead of the league.
Aidan O'Connor and Shane O'Brien impressed in the Shannonsiders’ victory over Waterford on Saturday scoring 0-14 between them.

“We were very efficient in front of goals, which is something that we've been really going after the last couple of weeks, so that was great to see. We still have work to do on it.

“Great impact off the bench in the second half was another factor which I was delighted with. It's something we will be going after during the course of the league. It's very important to us,” he said.

Overall Kiely was pleased his side's work-rate in Mallow on last Saturday afternoon.

“Overall, the synergy between the group on the pitch was very good. They worked hard together. They hunted together. They moved the ball well when they got the chance to. When Waterford had the ball, they worked very, very hard to get it back. So happy all told.”