Limerick hurling boss John Kiely enjoying new role working for JP McManus

John Kiely said signing a two-year extension to his term with Limerick was "something I was easily able to embrace".

CAREER BREAK: Limerick manager John Kiely celebrates with businessman JP McManus and the Liam MacCarthy Cup after the 2023 All-Ireland SHC final. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile

Limerick hurling manager John Kiely says he is enjoying working at JP McManus' Martinstown Stud while on a leave of absence from his vice-principal job at the Abbey School in Tipperary town. 

“In school, you get opportunities to take a career break if you choose to do," Kiely says in an interview with the Irish Examiner which will be published on Saturday.

"That opportunity arose for 2024-25, I have embraced that and I am enjoying my new role and looking to the future with an open mind.

“One thing I’ve learned from sport is when you have an opportunity, you need to take it. We have shown that on the pitch that when opportunities arise, you have to seize them."

When he took over as Limerick manager in late 2016, Kiely envisioned holding the role no more a year or two at most. 2025 will be his ninth season. Last month, he signed a two-year extension to his term. 

“For me, an opportunity to go back for two more years with Limerick was something I was easily able to embrace," he says.

"It’s still there for us – we know that. We’ve a great bunch of players and a lot of younger players coming through that are very exciting and very committed."