A SCREAMER of a goal from Aaron Gillane helped Limerick to a merited 1-26 to 2-16 win over Kilkenny in Sunday’s National Hurling League tie at the Gaelic Grounds.
In the first meeting between the pair and the venue since 2009, the Patrickswell great fired home the decisive score around the three-quarter mark, after a lovely pass from Adam English with an earlier involvement from Gearóid Hegarty.
Scoring was tit-for-tat up until that stage.
It was an outing in which many others impressed for the home side, including Na Piarsaigh pair Peter Casey (0-5) – Player of the Match – and William O’Donoghue.
Aidan O’Connor fired over plenty of frees.
Limerick’s performance was a huge improvement on the opening round loss in Waterford.
Reasoned manager John Kiely: “We worked hard Tuesday and Friday (training nights) for a reaction from the guys. In fairness to the lads, they led it themselves. It was a much improved performance.”
“A lot of these guys have very little hurling done and very little game-time of any description. Even in training, let alone competitive games.
“They know themselves, they’re working off a low base. They’ve got to work their way up through the gears over the coming weeks and months now. Today is a start in that direction.”
Limerick’s next outing is away to All-Ireland champions Tipperary on February 21.