'We know we can do better in terms of our accuracy' - Limerick hurlers keep on evolving
As he prepares for an eighth Munster Senior Hurling Championship final in a row, it is clear that Limerick manager John Kiely is always looking for more.
Despite three big wins in a row, John Kiely is always looking for that extra one-percent and ways for his side to get even stronger.
He promised tough post-match reviews after the wins over Waterford and Tipperary but the Galbally man was able to reflect on some of the positives he has seen during the round robin phase where his side scored 10 goals and finished with the best score difference since the group was introduced in 2018.
“I think there is an element of ruthlessness there,” Kiely noted.
“We have been going after goals and we have been getting them. We want to continue and try and do that. They don’t come off always and sometimes you don’t get those opportunities, we are going to keep going after them.
“It’s a nice facet of the game - there’s three points going for each one of them so why not go after them?”
The group stage was an intense period where Limerick played four games in five weeks. After an opening defeat to Cork, the record was flawless.
“In the round robin you’re always going to have peaks and troughs, that's the nature of it.” Kiely said. “You have four games in quick succession.
“We were late the party in that everyone had a game the week before us, it took us a little bit longer to get up to speed.
“If you are going to lose a match, losing your first one is the one to lose, because you have a chance to redeem yourself - and we have done over the last weeks, winning the last three matches.
If you are going to lose a match, losing your first one is the one to lose, because you have a chance to redeem yourself
“Each one of those games has thrown up its own area that we may not be happy with afterwards. No matter what game you play you’re always going to find there were aspects you thought you could do better.”
Despite putting up big scores in the Championship to date, some of the shooting has been wayward. However, Kiely is content that chances are being created.
“Having 52 shots gives you the chance to have 17 wides and 52 shots is a great return for the team to have that many,” said Kiely referring to the win over Tipp.
“We know we can do better in terms of our accuracy and we’ll go after that. We have two weeks to build and that will freshen the minds, freshen the body and sharpen the execution in our shooting as well.
“Their mentality and attitude is just fantastic,” the experienced manager said.