Why John Kiely refused to discuss next year after Limerick's triumph
Talks of next year were immediately shot down. There was no past, no future - it was all about being present in the moment
JOHN Kiely is going to enjoy this All-Ireland win.
Talks of next year were immediately shot down. There was no past, no future - it was all about being present in the moment.
At the victory banquet later Sunday night, county board chairman Seamus McNamara hinted that the Galbally man is going nowhere, but the manager himself was tight-lipped - determined to enjoy the celebrations and leaving 2027 preparation be a problem to be tackled after 2026 is fully appreciated.
“I have no thought given high up or low down to anything other than what is going to happen for the next few days,” Kiely told the media after the stunning 11-point win over Galway in Croke Park. “I have a small plan for that [few days], but beyond that, I have no plan.”
Despite the boisterous noise coming from the winning dressing room down the hall, the Galbally man gave his time to the waiting press. Back at the hotel that night, time too was given to the legion of supporters who stuck around to get a glimpse of their heroes.
It is important to draw a line under this win and enjoy the success - Limerick know only too well that there are plenty of tough days in this game.
“Every year, we stop, break and revisit when we think it is appropriate to say ‘what next’ and I am sure in the coming weeks we will sit and reflect and make a decision on what is going to happen after that,” said Kiely.
“But for now, I’m intent on enjoying these moments and trying to bank as many memories as I possibly can. We now know far better than we did in the past how hard it is to get back here and how hard it is to be successful here and we need to really enjoy this.”
After two heart-stopping wins in the Munster final success over Cork and All-Ireland semi-final win over Clare, the final was a more routine day at the office. But for his players, Kiely knew they would keep going until the final whistle - they know no other way.
“It’s our identity. Their identity is based on how hard they work, in training and in matches, and how committed they are to be doing the right thing for the group at all times. Whatever it takes, whatever they have to give, that’s what makes them special.”
Never one to take the credit himself, there was special note given to the organisation of coach Paul Kinnerk in preparing the team for the challenge of Galway.
"Paul Kinnerk deserves an incredible amount of credit for the manner in which he had the team prepared for the challenge.”
After putting up big scores throughout the championship campaign, Galway’s unique style of play was a new challenge for Kinnerk to navigate. But the experienced coach was more than up for the task as this was a game that Limerick controlled for large portions - frees kept Galway in touching distance in the first half. But a lightning start to the second half saw the Treaty cruise to a 13th All-Ireland title.
"Galway bring a very difficult tactical challenge to the table. We've seen in the last two games what that can look like if you don't control it or impact it in any way.
"They're incredibly good on the ball, they get numbers behind the halfway line. They're strong on opposition puckout. They're brilliant at shooting from distance. They have a target man inside who's super at holding up the ball.
"They have so many feathers to their bow. That meant we had a multifaceted approach to trying to deal with Galway today.
"It is a credit to Paul in terms of the result we got on pitch, in terms we were able to gain control of the game and limit Galway in the areas they're strongest in.
"It was just extraordinary, the detail that he [Kinnerk] got to and how he nailed it."
Strength and conditioning coach Adrian O’Brien and the returning team psychologist Caroline Currid were also name-checked as a determined Treaty powered to a remarkably straight-forward success.
“Caroline has made a huge impact in that regard, with the work that she’s done with the players since coming in. So I have to salute that. In terms of player availability. It’s very difficult, in an intense season like the current set-up, to keep players fit, healthy and well.
“Our medical team and Adrian O’Brien, in particular in terms of S&C, has done an incredible job over the last two years in building resilient players that are available on a consistent basis. And even when they do get injured, the injuries are minor and they recover really quickly from them.
“So I think Adrian deserves great credit for the manner in which he has produced the team as well.”
Having things right off the field will only get you so far - the 37 players who togged out on Sunday were the ones to pushed themselves and each other to these great heights.
“For the players, they have worked tirelessly since November 15 of last year, when we got together,” said Kiely.
“There has never been an occasion where I was unhappy with the level of application in training, and it has been incessant.
“We took five days off over Christmas and, outside of that, I don’t think we took anything more than two or three days at a time when we took a break. And they were after huge efforts maybe in a Munster championship match or a Munster final – those type of situations.
“So they have been relentless in their application and their work - there is an incredible sense of unity and togetherness within the group. An indomitable one, I would have described it as, to be quite honest with you.”
The preparation and hard-work paid off in abundance. Another All-Ireland for Kiely, Kinnerk and Currid. One that will be cherished.