LIMERICK VIEW: Kilkenny could face stiff challenge as Kiely teases the return of key players

Limerick senior hurling manager John Kiely says Declan Hannon and Darragh O'Donovan are progressing well from their respective injuries. Both players are yet to feature for the Shannonsiders in 2025.

“Declan just picked up a very small niggle in his calf, he was actually going to play against Kilkenny (in postponed game) but he just picked up that niggle. Darragh has got back on the pitch as well with Declan this week and has done a nice piece of work, I'm very happy with his progress,” Limerick manager John Kiely said after Saturday night's league victory over Galway.

“He's in good shape so it won't take a whole lot of time once we get him fully fit and reintegrated into all of the sessions. We won't play any of these guys unless they're 100% and they know that so they're working very hard.”

Limerick now face Kilkenny this Saturday at 3;30pm in UPMC Nowlan Park in their rescheduled Allianz Hurling League round four fixture. Despite last Saturday's victory, Kiely felt Limerick afforded Galway too many opportunites.

“(This) week we'll be looking to see if we can try and improve. We can't allow the opposition to get as many shots off as we allowed Galway to get off because they won't be missing them. Galway will be disappointed with their accuracy off the shots they had.”

“We're not codding ourselves to know that if they had gotten those shots right the game would have been much closer.”

Kilkenny full back Huw Lawlor, Richie Reid, Eoin Cody and Adrian Mullen missed last Saturday's defeat to Tipperary through injury. Meanwhile, Kilkenny's Mikey Carey and David Blanchfield are set to miss Saturday's clash through suspension.

Derek Lyng's team are out of contention to qualify for the league final but will be keen to perform and avoid a third consecutive home loss in a row.

Limerick will remain in contention to reach the 1A decider if they defeat Kilkenny this weekend. Limerick know that two wins in their final two games against Kilkenny and Wexford will put them onto nine points. Cork meet Galway in their final game of the Allianz Hurling League and a win would move the Rebels on to nine points. 

Kiely was pleased to see ace forward Peter Casey back on the pitch last Saturday night against Galway.

“Peter has had a long period of time in recovery from his injury last year and it's been a piece of work to get it right. Many of us leaving the Gaelic Grounds that day never thought we'd see him in a green jersey again and it's great to see him back.”

It has been a mixed campaign for Kilkenny during the League. ‘The Cats’ have suffered defeats to Galway, Cork and Tipperary. The Leinster champions recorded victories over Clare and Wexford.

Hear more Kilkenny GAA coverage on the Kilkenny People Sport Podcast below: