DEFENDING champions Limerick began their National League campaign with a 0-20 to 0-20 stalemate with Tipperary on the Gaelic Grounds on Saturday.
John Kiely’s side maintained their unbeaten run as David Reidy sent over the equalizer in additional time.
Up next for Limerick is a trip to Salthill to take on early pacesetters Galway who put Westmeath to the sword with a 5-34 to 1-16 win in Mullingar at the weekend.
After a four month absence since winning the All-Ireland title in December, Limerick were visibly below par in the Gaelic Grounds despite leading 0-7 to 0-5 at the first quarter.
However, Tipp controlled the middle quarters and were full value for a 0-19 to 0-14 advantage at the final waterbreak.
The introduction of Hurler of the Year’s Cian Lynch and Gearoid Hegarty helped Limerick to hit their grove as they levelled after 70 minutes.
Despite their struggles Limerick had chances to win at the death and speaking in the aftermath, John Kiely was content with a “fair result”.
“We struggled at times. Both sides had their purple patches where they controlled the game but maybe coming out of the third quarter we may not have been in the best shape and we needed to steady things down and to be fair we didn’t panic and we kept trying to do the right things.
“We didn’t go off script and if you stay at things long enough you’ll get enough out of it. I think the draw was a fair result.”
8 May 2021; Limerick manager John Kiely speaking to eir Sport before the Allianz Hurling League Division 1 Group A Round 1 match between Limerick and Tipperary at LIT Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/SportsfileUp next for Limerick is Galway in Salthill on Sunday with Kiely taking each week game by game.
“We’re just taking it week to week. We did well to get a draw there and we move on to Galway now so that’s where our focus will shift to. Look after five months off, the new year and all the lockdowns, I think regarding momentum, we are all at the bottom of the mountain. We all have to climb the same mountain over the coming weeks.”
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