LISTEN: John Kiely ‘looking forward’ to New York Hurling Classic

Limerick travel to New York this week for the 2019 Super 11s in the Mets stadium.

Limerick will be looking to defend the championship they won in 2018 in Boston.

2018 Fenway Hurling Classic, Fenway Park, Boston, USA 18/11/2018
Limerick vs Cork
Limerick celebrate winning the Aer Lingus Fenway Hurling Classic
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Emily Harney

Limerick play Wexford in the semi-finals on Saturday evening with the winner to face either Kilkenny or Tipperary in the final.

Ahead of the trip, Limerick manager John Kiely says he is excited ahead of the trip.

“I suppose it’s the last event of 2019 if you like. While we haven’t been together for a few months, I think all players and management are looking forward to the event itself. You’ve got four really good teams going over.”

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8 November 2019; Kilkenny’s Paul Murphy, Tipperary’s Barry Heffernan, Limerick’s Diarmuid Byrnes, and Wexford’s Lee Chin were at Aer Lingus Hangar 6 at Dublin Airport this morning where Aer Lingus, in partnership with the GAA & GPA, unveiled a one-of-a-kind customised playing kit for the New York Hurling Classic which takes place at Citi Field in New York on November 16th. Aer Lingus will once again be the Official Airline of the event and will be responsible for flying the four teams to New York. Aer Lingus is Ireland’s only 4-Star airline and has been involved in the Hurling Classic on three previous occasions where it has been played at Fenway Park in 2015, 2017 & 2018. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***

The All-Ireland winning manager said that events like this are important for the Irish diaspora.

“For people who have not been able to get a flight home for years, for them to see their native county or any county coming out and participating in these competitions, it means a great deal to them.

“It’s an opportunity for them to meet the team and people from their own county.”

While Limerick will go all out to win the competition, there will be little made if the Treaty side prove unsuccessful.

However, with the new year approaching, interest in the county side is beginning to ramp up once more with Kiely providing an update on the squad.

“We’ve been to an awful lot of club matches, planning and organising for the season ahead.

“It’s a phase of renewal. Everybody got a break but everyone is chomping at the bit to get back.

“We’ll resume training in two weeks time proper. We’re all looking forward to getting back doing what we enjoy.

The post LISTEN: John Kiely ‘looking forward’ to New York Hurling Classic appeared first on Sporting Limerick.

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