Kiely eyes Tipperary challenge after Limerick's opening Championship victory

John Kiely and his Limerick team will be hoping to keep their winning record going in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship this coming Sunday as they host Tipperary.

Limerick had an incredible 3-15 to 1-18 victory over Clare in the first round of the Championship in Cusack Park over the weekend to start the round-robin campaign off on a positive note.

The four-time All-Ireland champions looked out of the game in the second half going nine points down but quick goals from Aaron Gillane and Donnacha Ó Dálaigh secured the win for the Treaty men.

Speaking after the game in Ennis John Kiely went on to state: “Even at nine points down Clare were never pulling away from us and we were still creating scoring chances we just weren't getting the momentum.

"Then we scored three points and the crucial goal and that changed the whole game for us and the players felt that and they grabbed it, I was equally delighted with the impact of the subs off the bench. They really made a difference today in that last quarter.”

An official attendance of 20,055 fans attended the Limerick and Clare game in Ennis with a huge amount of momentum coming from the Treaty men's victory. Limerick are now well set up in the Championship gaining a vital two points from Sunday's victory.

John went on to say: “When you come to Ennis and get a win you understand that is a huge achievement in itself, but ultimately it's only the first game of four and it's only two points on the board, that won't be enough to make it out of the group and we know what is facing us next Sunday. We drew with Tipperary last year in the Munster Championship and we were probably fortunate to get the draw that day so we have a huge amount to work on between now and then and we have to improve.

“We have to be more accurate on our shooting and improve our free count and stop giving away scoring chances in our half of the field. There are incredible free takers out there and we can't be affording them chances at scoring because of our ill discipline.”

Limerick will have to regroup and concentrate on Tipperary only seven days after they battle with Clare. The Shannonsiders clocked up 14 wides in Ennis which will have to improve against Tipp.