Limerick hurling trio to be honoured at Munster GAA awards

THERE will be three Limerick recipients at this weekend's Munster GAA Awards.

The function takes place in the Minella Hotel, Clonmel this Saturday, December 17.

John Kiely will be honoured as Manager of the Year, Diarmaid Byrnes as Hurler of the Year and Aidan O'Connor as U20 Hurler of the Year.

An incredible season for Diarmaid Byrnes has already seen the Patrickswell man honoured with an All-Star and GAA/GPA Hurler of the Year.

Now the wing back is to be honoured as Munster's Hurler of the Year for his performances in Limerick's five game run to lifting the new Mick Mackey Cup.

Manager John Kiely wins the provincial honour after guiding his men in green and white to a fourth successive Munster SHC title. For the first time since the 1930's Limerick won a provincial four-in-a-row when defeating Clare in an extra-time epic in Thurles last June.

The third Limerick recipient is Ballybrown's Aidan O'Connor - the Munster U20 Hurler of the Year. The U20's vice-captain was at his scoring best as the Diarmuid Mullins managed Limerick won the provincial title with wins over Clare, Cork, Waterford and Tipperary.