Watch: John Kiely reflects on a super 'stressful' Sunday for Limerick

It proved a grinding rollercoaster where Kiely’s side trailed for the majority of the contest, with the narrowest of victories was secured with a late point from Peter Casey.

KINGS OF THE MANOR: Limerick manager John Kiely celebrates winning the Munster hurling final with JP McManus. Pic: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

The years of experience garnered from eight consecutive Munster finals appearances helped Limerick overcome the formidable challenge presented by Cork in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday.

It proved a grinding rollercoaster where John Kiely’s side trailed for the majority of the contest, with the narrowest of victories was secured with a late point from Peter Casey.

“We didn't expect anything else other than a battle,” manager John Kiely said.

“No matter how much you prepare yourself, it's not until you're inside in the middle of it that you realise this is a real, real, real battle. Everything was contested with all our might and they contested it with all their might. It was a great battle and proper game of hurling, proper Munster final and very fitting of the occasion.

“We played a lot of very tight Munster finals, a number of them with Clare. Really, really tough battles again. They held their nerve. We spoke about being calm in the chaos before the game. And I thought we showed great composure throughout the game because a lot of things didn't go for us today.

“Our shooting was a bit off. We had a couple of goal chances that didn't come off. It was tough going out there and we just had to keep battling and battling and battling and trying to win enough ball to get enough shots. We probably needed to be six points better than them to win by one. That's the facts of it.

“We are very proud of the lads, the entire group. We have a lot of young men in that dressing room that weren't there three years ago (2019-2024 achieved six-in-a-row). We have a lot of people in our backroom team that have never tasted success. So for us as a group, that really pleases me that people have joined us in the last couple of years and are now getting to get a taste of what it's like to be successful.

“It's a reward for them, for their time, their commitment, their dedication. It's great learning for those younger lads in our group as well to be a part of this and know what it takes to actually be successful.

“An incredibly tough game. Cork, every time we play they are incredibly tough. They bring challenges all over the pitch. Their hurling is so slick. They're moving the ball through the lines. The line breaks they go after. Their intent for goal.

“On our puck out they worked so hard. They made it very difficult for us. There's so many different aspects of the game that they challenged us on today. It takes two teams to make a great game and I think Cork, if I'm honest, deserve incredible recognition for their performance as well.” 

A jubilant, but obviously exhausted manager, summarised his emotions.

“No pressure at all. No pressure at all, a Munster final against Cork?” he joked.

Limerick manager John Kiely celebrates winning the Munster hurling final. Pic: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy.

“I was nearly going to the coronary unit yesterday. My heart was on fire at that stage. You know what's coming. This is a tremendous place and they have tremendous support.

“Cork are an incredible hurling county. I went to college here for five years. I worked in Clonakilty for a year. I know the people of Cork and what hurling means to them. I can tell you that. I played in the Cork County Championship. I played Fitzgibbon for UCC. I played for CIT. I know what Cork hurling is and I know a lot of great people in hurling in Cork and lifelong friends of mine.

“For us, we just want to get every last juice out of ourselves. If we did go out the wrong side of it, we can get onto our bus and go out the gate and say we gave it absolutely everything we had in the tank. I'm happy if that happens, knowing that we've given everything.

“It was a very stressful game. There was so much happening. It was frustrating at times because we knew we were getting plenty ball, but we just weren't converting enough of it into scores. If you don't, you run the risk that you're going to get caught. We got caught here two years ago in the round three of the round robin, we just didn't close out the game. Cork did and that was very disappointing.

“I think that's one thing we just didn't want to see happen, was for us to give ourselves that opportunity and not seize it. We speak about giving ourselves opportunities to be successful. You can't promise or guarantee you're going to be successful, but you can promise and guarantee that you're going to give every sinew in your body to the effort on the day.

"I have to say to the boys, I'm super, super proud of them. They're exhausted in there. We're all exhausted after it, but they can be very, very proud of their efforts and satisfied that they gave every ounce for the jersey today.”