AHEAD of the customary inter-county training camp in sunnier climes this weekend, Limerick signed off on the National Hurling League with a merited defeat of deadly rivals Cork in the final at a sold-out Gaelic Grounds on Easter Sunday.
With the exception of last summer’s Munster Final penalty loss to the Leesiders at the same venue, Limerick manager John Kiely has a perfect record in deciders, spread across previous Leagues, Provincial and All-Ireland showpieces.
He, along with Paul Kinnerk and Alan Cunningham, have been at the helm of all those 15 special occasions since the breakthrough season of 2018.
Kiely was obviously chuffed to have guided the Shannonsiders to title number 15 at the weekend, but he was equally keen to cast his eyes further down the line, and the upcoming series of battles in the latest edition of the always hot Munster Championship.
“All told, just really, really happy to get the result. But that parks the League for us now,” he told RTÉ’s Sunday Sport.
“We’ve got three weeks to get ready for a championship. We know that what we did today will not be good enough in three weeks’ time. We’ve plenty of appetite for work now for the next two weeks.
“But, listen, we’ll enjoy tonight. The boys have put in a good shift over the League, and its over now.”
With the exception of the shock loss in the opening round in Waterford, Limerick were unbeaten for the rest of the League journey, including significant wins over Tipperary, Kilkenny, Galway and Cork, twice.
It’s against Cork that Limerick begin their quest for a 26th Munster title at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday fortnight.
For Cork, the next chapter of 2026 begins in two weeks, away to All-Ireland champions Tipperary at Semple Stadium, Thurles.