WATCH: Limerick manager John Kiely: "Our performance today just wasn't at the level that is required"

LIMERICK senior hurlers opened their Division 1A Allianz Hurling League campaign with a four-point defeat to Waterford at Azzurri Walsh Park on Sunday afternoon.

John Kiely's Limerick side, who had defeated Waterford in the Co-Op Superstores Munster Hurling League final in Mallow last momnth, suffered a 1-21 to 0-20 reverse at the hands of the Deise who had lost their opening league fixture to Cork a week ago.

After Sunday's game, Limerick manager John Kiely said that while there were patches of the game in which the Shannonsiders had been 'quite good', he was disappointed with phases of the game where they had lacked sharpness. 

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Manager Kiely said he wasn't blaming the fact that his side had a bye in the first round of fixtures last weekend as a reason for their lack of sharpness against the Deise.

Manager John Kiely said: "(Our peformance) just wasn't good enough. The boys know that, we know that. We have a lot of work to do this week. It just wasn't at the level that is required, that's it, and we have to own that. I know they will.

"They are good honest guys, they know they just weren't at the level that is required today. We will double down this week and work hard. We wil just try and be better next week, that is all we can do."