John Kiely tipped to follow in footsteps of JP McManus with top Limerick honour
Galbally man has won six of the last nine All-Ireland titles
SENIOR hurling manager John Kiely is being tipped to follow in the footsteps of JP McManus by being granted the Freedom of Limerick.
The Galbally man has won six of the last nine All-Ireland titles on offer, as well as a plethora of other trophies, including seven Munster championships.
Now, Limerick Live can reveal that talks will be held among councillors about honouring Mr Kiely, who has overseen one of the most successful eras in the history of inter-county hurling.
And it’s the highest recognition on offer that they are eyeing up.
It’s down to the 40 members of Limerick City and County Council to decide whether the honour is given out.
All indications are that there would be unanimous support for granting the honour to the former secondary school principal, ended a 45-year wait for the Liam MacCarthy Cup in 2018, kick-starting a trophy-laden era of Limerick hurling.
Former metropolitan district leader, Cllr Sarah Kiely, her Fine Gael colleague Adam Teskey, Fianna Fail council leader Michael Collins and Mr Kiely’s Galbally neighbour, Cllr Eddie Ryan have said they will be bringing the proposal forward.
And Mayor John Moran said he would happily propose the honour if it is the wish of councillors.
“I don’t think it’d be a controversial vote,” he said this Tuesday.
If honoured, Mr Kiely would join distinguished company.
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Limerick team sponsor JP McManus was granted the Freedom of Limerick in 2001, while composer Bill Whelan, the late broadcaster Terry Wogan and Munster, Ireland and British and Irish Lions captain Paul O'Connell have also received the honour.
The most recent recipient was cervical check campaigner, the late and much missed Vicky Phelan in 2022.
Cllr Kiely said: “It would be fitting for John Kiely to receive the Freedom of the city of Limerick as an acknowledgement of the achievement of the successes over the years of hurling. He is an utter gentleman, not just with the hurling, but also with the Team Limerick Clean-Up. He is all that is good about Limerick. It’s often said our people are our best asset and John certainly is that.”
Cllr Teskey added: “I’d wholeheartedly support this, and will bring it for discussion. These are unprecedented times for us here in Limerick. A lot of young people cannot remember a time when we were not as successful as we are now.”
He said Limerick’s hurlers, and the success they have had, is a “key catalyst” in getting youngsters interested in sport and “on the right road”.
Cllr Collins said: “He has been an unbelievable leader for the GAA and Limerick hurling. He has brought this incredible group of young men to different levels. It’s down to his management skills we have seen six All-Ireland titles and all the other trophies as well.”
“Absolutely, 110%”, was the answer Cllr Ryan gave when asked if he would back the idea of the Freedom for his fellow Galbally man.
“Nobody else has done what he has done. John Kiely is a unique figure. The last two years were difficult for Limerick in the context in the context of four [in a row]. But to come back this year and to do what he did. Prior to 2018, we only had seven All-Ireland’s. Now we have six in nine years. The Freedom of Limerick would be an honest and decent gesture to give to him.”
There is no timeframe for any proposal to grant Mr Kiely the Freedom of Limerick, although discussions are expected to begin in the coming months.