Limerick up next for the black and amber
BY NIALL SHERRY, SPORTS EDITOR
SPORTSEDITOR@KILKENNYOBSERVER.IE
Allianz Hurling League Roinn 1A
Round 3, TUS Gaelic Grounds
Sunday Feb 8th @ 3:45pm
Limerick vs Kilkenny
It may only be early February, but any meeting between the Shannonsiders and Noresiders sparks interest in the hurling fraternity across the Island of Ireland. In this case, it’s Round 3 of the National Hurling League with both sides having one game under their belts in the competition to date. Kilkenny were in action on the opening day, securing a 4-point home victory over a gallant Offaly side, that like their hosts, were missing some key individuals. One thing is certain, Derek Lyng’s side will need to improve on their scoring efficiency if they want to get anything from their trip to the TUS Gaelic Grounds this Sunday. Lyng’s opposite number will be keen to shake off the patchy performance his side gave in Walsh Park last weekend when they lost by 4 points to The Deise. Unusually for Limerick, they were wasteful in attack, and to make matters worse, they lost Doon’s Adam English to injury in the opening period.
The rivals last met in round 4 of last season’s competition, with Kilkenny running out 9-point winners at UPMC Nowlan Park, a victory that ensured our place in Division 1A for this season. TJ Reid notched 0-10 while the Cats player of the season, Mossy Keoghan was in cracking form, registering an impressive 0-7. Another player who caught the eye that day was Fionan Mackessy, the towering Kerry man hit 3 points, and his physicality was a huge bonus for Derek Lyng’s men. The O’Loughlin’s man, like TJ, has not featured yet this season, could Sunday see the return of one of these men to the black and amber?
The Cats management have cast their eye over many players during the Walsh Shield games and the league opener against the Faithful County. Between the posts, Aidan Tallis has performed well, but it wouldn’t come as a massive surprise if former All-Star keeper Eoin Murphy gets the start against The Treaty side. Against Offaly, in the full back line, Mikey Carey anchored things and was on the edge of the square for most of the game, with the trusted Mikey Butler and Fenians Rory Garrett in the corners. We have also seen rising star Ivan Bolger and Castlecomer’s Conor McMahon on defensive duty this season. With Tullaroan’s Tommy Walsh likely to absent for the majority of the 2026 season, having suffered the dreaded cruciate injury last August, there appears to be one of the ‘corner men’s’ jersey’s up for grabs.
In the absence of this years nominated captain, TJ Reid, his fellow Shamrock, Darragh Corcoran, has been leading the Cats out so far in 2026. The versatile Ballyhale man has been employed mostly in the ‘6’ role but is just as comfortable moving to the wing if required. Indeed, having had a spell at full back for his club while Joey holden was on his travels, Darragh found himself on the edge of the square for a while against Johnny Kelly’s men and can do a job there if called upon. Corcoran was flanked by Clara’s David Barcoe and the impressive Shane Murphy last time out. Glenmore’s Murphy, like the rest of the Clan down at Pairc na Ratha, is a talented stickman with a great eye for a pass. During the second half, manager Lyng threw on the vastly experienced Richie Reid & Paddy Deegan, and you feel that one or both of these men will find themselves in pole position come the business end of the season. The Gaelic Grounds may call for the nous of Messrs. Reid and Deegan as the Marble City Men seek to lay down a marker against one of the Munster powerhouses.
Emerald’s clubman Killian Doyle has been a steady presence in the engine room and his partnership with the dynamic Jordan Molloy in the last couple of games has served the men in stripes well. The O’Loughlin’s player has some engine and his ability to bomb forward, and notch scores has been a vital weapon for Kilkenny in the last couple of seasons. Molloy’s clubmate, Paddy Deegan is another that can operate in the middle sector if needed, as can former Kerry star Mackessy. The Village’s Cian Kenny, who limped off during the shield victory over Brian Dowling’s Kildare, is another than has featured heavily at centrefield in recent seasons.
Former captain, Eoin Cody has looked lively in the black and amber during January. His ability to roam deep to collect possession and link play with those around him is vital, as is his free taking, again in the absence of clubmate TJ Reid. Thomastown’s Luke Connellan has had plenty of minutes but probably hasn’t had the impact that he would have hoped for to date. Glenmore’s Cathal Beirne has enjoyed his time so far on Lyng’s senior panel and will hope to stick around as the season progresses. Gearoid Dunne is another player that has been in and around the senior panel, but his performances in 2026 have given reasons for optimism, as The Sash man offers something different to his manager. Dicksboro’s Liam Moore is another man to feature this year and has had good moments in some of his outings thus far.
One player that has been sprung from the bench to good effect is Ed McDermott. The James Stephens clubman’s towering presence and ability to win aerial duels is a great asset to any team. The same goes for young Marty Murphy who has a similar skillset to that of McDermott. Marty will hope that he can have an impact equal to another Tullogher Rosbercon legend, Walter Walsh. Shamrocks Ballyhale’s Niall Shortall too has had a couple of useful cameos and having a speedy player like this could prove useful when games get stretched and defenders start to tire. Kilkenny will hope to keep Mossy Keoghan fit for the campaign ahead, especially with Graigue Ballycallan’s Billy Reid off on his travels and the Tullaroan players’ ability to grab a goal has been a feature of his contributions while on intercounty duty. With the likes of TJ, Adrian Mullen, Fionan Mackessy and David Blanchfield to come in, the competition for places is essential in driving the squad forward this year.
John Kiely’s Limerick will be eager to improve on their form from the past couple of seasons that saw them lose their much-heralded dominance. Having been on an incredible run that delivered multiple Liam MacCarthy’s, The Treaty’s grip on the Munster provincial title loosened when they lost to Cork on penalties, denying the green machine a seventh consecutive title. Sunday’s opponents have still got serious quality in their ranks, and many believe are still the team to beat should you wish to lift the biggest prizes in hurling. Their defeat to Waterford in Walsh Park last weekend, meant that The Treaty side have only recorded one victory in the opening match of the National League in the last six seasons.
With Kilkenny rolling into town this weekend, Limerick will be keen to put in a more disciplined performance, as The Deise scored 1-12 from placed balls in their unexpected win. Kiely will know that the Cats will punish such indiscretions if his team gives their opponents as many opportunities at the TUS Gaelic Grounds. Ballybrown’s Aidan O’Connor was on placed ball duty for his side and notched eight points in total, while Shane O’Brien hit 0-4 and man mountain Gearoid Hegarty registering 0-3 in the defeat. Kilmallock’s O’Brien looks like a quality forward and could prove a tricky customer for Mikey Carey. Captain Cian Lynch will hope to inspire his side on home soil, but Kilkenny will hope to keep The Treaty faithful waiting another week for their first league victory of the campaign.
