John Kiely: 'You don’t expect to be in Croke Park for an All-Ireland quarter-final but we’ll take it'

In only their second All-Ireland quarter-final in Kiely's reign, agreeing to facing Dublin in Croke Park rather than Thurles can be interpreted as many things

Limerick manager John Kiely. File picture: James Crombie/Inpho

It’s hardly a whole new ball game but a step into the unknown it certainly is for John Kiely and Limerick on Saturday as they attempt to recover from a first-ever final defeat after 16 straight victories.

In only their second All-Ireland quarter-final in his reign, agreeing to facing Dublin in Croke Park rather than Thurles can be interpreted as many things: confidence remains high despite what happened against Cork in last Saturday week's Munster SHC final, Limerick sought to launch a pre-emptive psychological blow against Dublin or Kiely is keen to make the game as challenging as possible for his charges.