Former Tipperary forward Eoin Kelly.
By Cian O’Connell
Impressed with how Limerick secured promotion to Division 1A of the Allianz Hurling League, Eoin Kelly is expecting a lively semi-final encounter at Semple Stadium on Saturday evening.
Speaking at the launch of the Bank of Ireland Celtic Challenge the decorated former Tipperary attacker believes an interesting clash awaits in Thurles.
With Limerick set to face Tipperary in the Munster Championship on May 20, Kelly feels that significant intrigue surrounds the match.
“Tipperary have them in the first round of the Munster Championship down in Limerick, that won't be a simple game,” Kelly says.
“Limerick are a coming team obviously having won two All Ireland Under 21 titles in the past three years. Everything about Limerick in the past couple of years has been positive - Na Piarsaigh getting to the club All Ireland, winning one two years ago.
“What I would like to see for Limerick to improve - and John Kiely is doing a good job - is to leave a manager there for a couple of seasons, irrespective of how they do this year because they are going in the right direction.”
Regardless of what happens this weekend Kelly is adamant that it has been a hugely encouraging spring for the Treatymen.
“When Limerick get going, and they have been very impressive in the League, the supporters get behind them,” Kelly states.
Eoin Kelly is impressed with Limerick manager John Kiely.
“You saw the emotion when they beat Galway, it is a big challenge now playing Tipperary in Thurles; that is a perfect game pre Championship.
“If Limerick don't win on Saturday night - and they will be coming to win, but if they don't it will still be a successful League campaign and they will be teed up nicely for the Championship.”
Tipperary have quietly integrated some emerging talent into their panel in 2018 and Kelly is certain the Premier County can make an impact once more.
“My take on Tipp for the last couple of seasons is that they are as good as the best, they are better than most and will be there or thereabouts,” Kelly replies.
“No different to anyone else you can't take any team for granted and Michael Ryan has competition for places in his squad. They are in a healthy position, and I think they will be in the latter stages of the Championship.”
The new format promises to supply plenty of gripping fixtures in Leinster and Munster according to Kelly.
“Tell me the teams who aren't going to make it through Munster?,” Kelly wonders. “You might say Clare, then you'd say no Waterford, and then you'd say Tipp could get caught. Cork or Limerick, it is hard to predict.
“The League format of the Championship means it is like the League was a few seasons ago, right up to the very end, I remember being on the team bus listening for results to see are we after getting through? It will be interesting, I'm really, really looking forward to it.”
