Limerick manager John Kiely with Cian Lynch of Limerick during the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship semi-final match between Limerick and Waterford at Croke Park in Dublin.
By John Harrington
A headmaster by trade, you get the feeling Limerick manager John Kiely gave all his players top marks in the dressing-room after today’s 11-point All-Ireland semi-final victory over Waterford.
There was a bounce in his step and a smile on his face when he came into the media auditorium after the match, and he made it clear from the off he was very pleased with many aspects of his team’s performance.
“Yeah, listen, in the short period of time that we've had to reflect on it...when you set out to do something and you achieve it in terms of how we wanted to play the game (you’re pleased).
“From the get-go, we had good shape and structure to what we were about. It took us a while, the scoreboard was slow getting off the mark for both sides today. I think after 12 minutes it was 0-4 to 0-3 so it was slow in getting in going.
“But, at the same time, we were creating chances and were using the ball well and we had a good structure and we felt secure at the back. We worked hard.
“I still think there's a bit more in us in that regard. Hopefully the game today will help us be able to give ourselves a platform to go up another notch in our work-rate.
“But, you know, in terms of our efficiency and use of the ball I was very, very pleased.”
The most competitive quarter of the match was the first one after which Limerick led by 0-4 to 0-3.
They then blitzed Waterford in the second quarter, outscoring them by six points. Was there something said at the water-break that made the difference?
“Nothing really, Just reiterating that we were doing everything fine and we hadn't any major concerns at that stage, only to keep doing what we were doing. We felt just before that water-break that we were beginning to get an upper hand in certain areas.
“But we just hadn't converted that into scores and we just needed to keep going after that and be patient. That was really the main message to be honest with you, to be patient.”
Limerick supporters would have been concerned by the sight of Barry Nash limping off in the closing minutes, but Kiely is hopeful to have a clean bill of health for the All-Ireland Final in two weeks time.
“I haven't spoken to Barry yet so I don't know, we'll have to assess those injuries over the next couple of days,” he said. “I'd be hopeful we'll have everybody available for the next day.”
