Cats look to build on Wexford win against Kiely’s Limerick
BY NIALL SHERRY, SPORTS EDITOR
SPORTSEDITOR@KILKENNYOBSERVER.IE
Allianz Hurling League Division 1A
Kilkenny vs Limerick
UPMC Nowlan Park, Sunday, 1:45pm
Referee: Colm Lyons (Cork)
When the fixtures were released for this seasons Allianz Hurling League Division 1A, many eyes on Noreside would have been drawn to the round 4 clash between Kilkenny and Limerick in UPMC Nowlan Park. There is little doubt that John Kiely’s Treaty side are as near to the all-conquering Cats under the guidance of the legendary Brian Cody that hurling has seen, and while the league has always been the competition for blooding new players, positional changes and developing patterns of play, you can bet that both managers will want to leave the pitch with two points in the bag.
It’s not every season that we get to see Limerick ply their trade in the marble city, and a large crowd is sure to be in attendance when the green machine rolls into town. The home side have had three league games in 2025, while the visitors arrive on Noreside having played a game less. John Kiely’s charges opened their Allianz sponsored campaign with a share of the spoils on a horrible evening in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Darragh Fitzgibbon’s 80th-minute free ensured Cork grabbed a point on home soil as the Leesiders came back from 5 down to claim a draw. John Kiely had seven starters from last season’s Munster championship clash with the Rebels, but one enforced change saw a debut handed to netminder Jason Gillane who deputised for the injured Nickie Quaid.
The Treaty found themselves five points down after 18 minutes, but got themselves back in the game, thanks to a cracking goal from midfielder William O’Donoghue. As they tend to do, Limerick reeled off the next three points courtesy of an Adam English free, Patrick O’Donovan, and new captain Cian Lynch. A great piece of defending from David Reidy prevented a Cork goal, as the visitors went into the changing rooms 2 points adrift. A fast start after the interval saw Kiely’s outfit hit four of the first five scores and a couple of excellent placed balls from new keeper Jason Gillane saw the team in green pull clear. The home side battled back and a brace of scores from Fitzgibbon tied things up on the long whistle.
Limerick’s second outing saw them take on Tipperary at the TUS Gaelic Grounds and it took a big second half performance from the home side to see them claim their first win of the league. This game saw the return to intercounty hurling for Shane Dowling, his first appearance since 2019, but in a new position, this time as goalkeeper. There was nothing that the opinionated pundit could do to prevent Seanie Kenneally rattling the net in the first half, with a stunning baseball-style finish. Liam Cahill’s men took a slender 1-point lead into the interval, thanks to an Alan Tynan point from distance. The Treaty started the second period on the front foot, notching the first three scores and continued to assume control as the half wore on. Diarmaid Byrnes (0-7 3fs), Aidan O’Connor (0-5) and Aaron Gillane (0-4 3fs) contributed handsomely to the home sides win, while David Reidy, Adam English, Paddy O’Donovan all hit 3 points apiece.
It will be interesting to see who lines out between the sticks for Limerick in UPMC Nowlan Park. Personally, I think it will be Patrickswell’s Jason Gillane, but John Kiely may opt to give Shane Dowling 2.0 another run out in his remolded role. Anchoring things at full back, is likely to be Dan Morrissey, the Ahane player is one of the managers trusted lieutenants. Two more players that fall into that category are Diarmaid Byrnes and the much talked about Kyle Hayes. The latter has been used in the ‘6’ role this season and his reading of the game and athleticism appears to suit the centre back position. His ability to sweep and read the game were evident, when the Kildimo Pallaskenry player set up The Treaty’s goal in the draw with Cork. Doon’s Barry Murphy has had a couple of outings at corner back, while Sean Finn only managed to get through the first 35 on Leeside, Effin’s Fergal O’Connor replacing the Bruff man and keeping his place for the win over Tipp. Everyone knows the quality that Diarmaid Byrnes possesses, especially his long-range shooting ability. That quality is something that could see Jason Gillane get the nod in goals.
The talented Cian Lynch is now leading this Limerick side, and will pivot between the engine room and centre half forward. He is an excellent link player and thrives on bringing others into the action. The left side of the Limerick attack has featured Aidan O’Connor and Patrick O’Donovan and both have looked very lively, and the Cats defence will need to be on their toes to manage these threats. In Aaron Gillane, The Treaty have an excellent attacker who is ultra reliable for the placed ball. Seamus Flanagan should return to the squad, following his exclusion from the Tipp game for a little bit of childlessness.
So how does Derek Lyng approach this round four clash? I would love to have seen former Kerry star Fionan Mackessy line out for this encounter, but that will be dependent on his recovery from the injury which forced him off during the clash with Clare, the O’Loughlin’s man helped from the pitch, never a good sign. A couple of Mackessy’s clubmates will relish the battle with Limerick. Huw Lawlor and Mikey Butler have been ever present in the Cats league campaign to date, and know all about from previous clashes with Limerick at the business end of the season. David Blanchfield has been lining out just in front of Huw Lawlor with the impressive Mikey Carey motoring up and down the flank notching quality scores from deep.
The absence of Mackessy gave an opportunity to Zac Bay Hammond, but like the Kerry man, the Thomastown player was forced off with a knock against Galway. The Wexford game saw former captain Paddy Deegan return to defensive duty, having performed both attacking and midfield roles this season. With this season’s captain, John Donnelly, yet to make his return to the black and amber, his clubmate Peter McDonald had the privilege of leading Kilkenny out in the opening two rounds of the league. In the win over Wexford, it was Stephen Donnelly that skippered the side in Chadwicks Wexford Park.
In attack, it has been wonderful to see Martin Keoghan hit the ground running. The Tullaroan star has been in inspirational form for the Cats this season, a perfect example for some of the younger players currently in the panel. Along with Eoin Cody, Mossy has been keeping the scoreboard ticking over, and striking over some stunning points in the Allianz league. Keoghan also knows where the net is, and isn’t afraid to go for the major, should the opportunity present itself. Shamrocks Ballyhale man Cody has been getting through a mountain of work, pulling defenders into places they don’t want to be, while taking on the responsibility of placed ball duty in the absence of fellow Shamrock, TJ Reid. Speaking of TJ, this could well be the game that sees a return to stripes for the legendary attacker.
When you think that TJ, Richie Reid, Adrian Mullen, Eoin Murphy and Tommy Walsh are all yet to feature, there is plenty of experience awaiting Derek Lyng’s panel and it will be of keen interest to Gaels on Noreside to see the panel chosen for Sunday’s game. In the absence of the above-mentioned players and the recently retired trio of Conor Fogarty, Cillian Buckley and Walter Walsh, it has been good to see the likes of Luke Connellan, Eoghan Lyng, Harry Shine, Padraic Moylan and Billy Reid get some much-needed exposure to senior intercounty action.
There’s no doubt that Sunday’s game in UPMC Nowlan Park is a big one, the opposition, the points at stake, momentum and the chance to lay down a marker against one of the favourites and main protagonists in the race for silverware this season. Our history might be more glorious than that of Limerick, but this history tends to weigh heavily on the shoulders of those in stripes. Derek Lyng and his management team, along with his panel of players need to look ahead, to the future and deliver what their ability allows and what supporters expect, hunger, desire and success. Sunday can be another step on this journey for Kilkenny.
