NICKIE Quaid’s sensational return to goal for Limerick against Tipperary in the opening round of the Munster Senior Hurling Championship at Semple Stadium, Thurles, was a prime example of a best kept secret.
In mid-November, Quaid ruptured his cruciate and was not expected back in the fold until much later in the Championship.
Only the training group itself was aware of Quaid’s rapid recovery.
To hold such a dramatic development under wraps was an achievement in itself.
“There’s great unity and togetherness in our group. This is a reflection of that. We’ve 62 people involved. They all have families, partners, work colleagues, and friends. I take my hat off to everybody involved,” commented Limerick manager John Kiely.
He said that Quaid has been “in full training for the last three weeks. So when he’s able to play in-house games and do everything that he would have been doing all along, it had to be considered.”
“Just delighted he got through it, it’ll be a huge confidence builder for him. You can’t replicate a championship match in training. So this’ll be a huge, huge plus for him and something that he can build on. He’s back now and that’s it.”
Shane Dowling and Jason Gillane both remain standby options.
With the Limerick/Tipperary and Clare/Cork both finishing in thrilling draws, hurling folk are none the wiser as to the outcome of Championship 2025 in Munster.
Limerick have a bye next weekend, before a tricky away outing to Waterford on Saturday May 3.
On Sunday next, Cork host Tipperary, a repeat of the League Final easily won by The Rebels, and Clare travel to Waterford.
