John Kiely thrilled to get over the line after 'proper' Munster hurling final battle
In a game played in extremely difficult conditions, John Kiely saw his Limerick hurlers prevail, winning a seventh provincial title in his reign.
WHEN he addressed the media after the epic Munster Senior Hurling Championship final win over Cork, John Kiely looked like he had just pucked every ball in the 77-plus minutes of action.
In a game played in extremely difficult conditions, the Galbally man saw his side prevail, winning a seventh provincial title in his reign.
It was this experience of getting over the line in the big day, which played a role when the going got tough as Limerick trailed for most of the second half before Peter Casey - twice - gave his side injury time leads.
“We played in a lot of tight Munster finals, particularly against Clare. We have a lot of reference points there,” said Kiely after the game.
“We spoke about being calm in the chaos before the game and I thought we showed great composure throughout the game.”
It was a game that looked destined for extra time but Cork overplayed a late free - with time well up, nearly eight minutes of injury time were on the clock with only five allotted - but Limerick held on for the win.
“It was a rollercoaster game, it actually had characteristics of 2018 (All-Ireland semi-final) about it from the point of view that it was so tight and the smallest thing was going to shade it.
“Peter Casey, again like in 2018, came up with the big plays when it mattered most.
“It was a titanic battle, we didn’t expect anything else other than that no matter how much you prepare yourself it’s not until you’re in the middle of it you know you’re in a real battle,” Kiely added.
“Everything was contested with all our might and they contested with all their might - it was a proper battle, a proper Munster final”.
Another similarity of recent years was a Gearoid Hegarty Munster final goal. Clare have seen it before and it was a crucial moment in this provincial final.
The St Patrick’s man caught a dropping Diarmaid Byrnes free before slotting home a cool finish.
"We've been moving Gearoid in there (full-forward) late in games this year and it's just brought a little bit something different in there,” Kiely said. “He's very strong, very abrasive and yet has the skill to gather a ball like he did by the sideline there on a slippery surface going full tilt.
“He's done brilliantly well. To win that ball coming from deep, he's not an 11 metres per second player. By God, he made sure he was in front and he won his ball. It was a vital play.”
While 19 men took to the field in green and white, the manager emphasised the role the whole squad played in maintaining the sky-high standards we saw on Sunday.
“Everybody contributed. Everybody worked very hard. Even the lads that didn't tog today for us. We recognised them at our pre-game meeting because they're the fuel that drives the machine forward. They challenge the lads that are on the panel to mind their place.
“They need to put everything on the table and the fellas on the bench have to push the fellas that are on the pitch. The power has to come from behind the group, through the group. Our 37 players that we have on our books at the moment are working incredibly hard to be that energy, to be that oxygen for the group to drive it forward.”
Cork boss Ben O’Connor cut a naturally disappointed figure after the game.
“Yeah, disappointed. Tough conditions out there, but otherwise battled hard,” he said.
“We had a few decisions go against us. We were punished heavily for small margins at this level.
“Did we commit twice as many frees as the opposition? I have to watch it back on television, but you (reporters) saw it there live, did we commit twice as many frees?
“I'm a Corkman, so I'm saying we didn't. You're the neutrals, so you have to make up your mind on that.”