Kinnerk and Currid return with Kiely's Limerick in 2027

John Kiely will have all of his vaunted Limerick backroom team back together for another shot at Munster and All-Ireland glory in 2027.

Limerick manager John Kiely celebrates with selector Paul Kinnerk after the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Final match between Galway and Limerick at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile

John Kiely will have his vaunted Limerick backroom team back together for another shot at league, Munster and All-Ireland glory in 2027.

Following's Kiely's latest victory, his sixth All-Ireland title with the county, there had been initial speculation that trusted right-hand man Paul Kinnerk might seek a different challenge. 

But as reported by John Fogarty in the Irish Examiner last month, the stellar coach will return. In a further boost, he'll be joined again by renowned sport psychologist Caroline Currid. In fact, all of Kiely's backroom team are back - including selectors John Flavin, Alan Cunningham, Liam Cronin and Donal O’Grady.

Kiely told the Limerick Leader that work has already begun on retaining the three titles won in 2026: “We had to have a bit of reflection to see what was the best thing to do going forward.

“We always take a bit of time to reflect just to give ourselves a bit of space to settle things down. It’s an intensive season, 34 weeks long, so you're tired at the end of it.

“We've obviously committed to going forward again for 2027 and we're very much looking forward to that.

“Since that decision was made then, it was a case of ‘let's start getting to work’ then with the backroom team. 

"I've been meeting lots of the members of the backroom team for conversations just to get a bit of feedback from them, just to pick up on things that we can maybe do a little better, areas of improvement.

“It's just a case of getting to meet everybody and learn as much as we possibly can from this year and put it to effective action.”

Limerick sports psychologist Caroline Currid with Limerick manager John Kiely. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Kiely hopes all of this year's panel will also return, while remaining hopeful of adding one or two new names.

“As of right now, nobody has come forward to say they are considering anything like that (stepping away),” he said. “The players are very committed to going forward and I’d be very surprised if I hear otherwise.

“There's always guys out there every single year that we would invite in. Some will make it forward to the panel for the coming year, others may not."