LIMERICK re-enter the National Hurling League Arena with an outing against age-old foes Kilkenny at Nowlan Park on Sunday (1.45pm).
John Kiely’s charges have collected three points courtesy of an opening round draw at Cork and comfortable home defeat of Tipperary a fortnight ago.
The Cats have a match in hand and have secured wins over Clare (away) and Wexford (away), while in between there was a home loss to Galway.
Kilkenny manager Derek Lyng has fine players at his disposal, including the lively Martin Keoghan, scorer of two opening half goals against Wexford. In Lyng’s mix also are high-calibre individuals such as Mikey Butler, Huw Lawlor, Mikey Carey (Man of the Match two weeks ago), Billy Ryan, and the high-scoring Eoin Cody.
Over the coming weeks, several enforced absentees will return from injury to the fold for Limerick but for Gearoid Hegarty (broken finger) and Adam English (hamstring) their reappearance will take a wee bit longer.
On the general wellbeing of his squad (including Barry Nash and the Casey brothers of Mike and Peter), Kiely said: “They’re all relatively well. They’re training and they’re training hard. They are trying to get up to speed and we don’t want to put them in until you know they are 110 per cent but they are getting there.”
“They are all making great progress; there is no reason why they would not be available to play in the forthcoming games. However, we’re going to make sure everyone is ready for fare before we put them into it. All told, I’d be happy where we are at as a group overall.”
It’s unclear as to whether or not the busy UL contingent – Colin Coughlan, Adam English, Aidan O’Connor, Paddy O’Donovan, and Cathal O’Neill, now recovered from a hamstring issue, will be shortlisted for the trip to the Marble City.
A great tussle is in prospect with Limerick tipped to triumph, and with those brace of points move a step closer to a final appearance.
Colm Lyons (Cork) will referee.
