Kilkenny taking positives, but nothing more, from victory over Limerick
Division Match Allianz Hurling Final Against Picture: Brendan Limerick Kilkenny During Semi The League Manager 1 Moran/sportsfile Lyng Derek
In the same way that defeat will be anything but detrimental to Limerick, Kilkenny manager Derek Lyng went into Saturday’s League semi-final unperturbed by the possibility of a fourth consecutive knockout at the hands of the champions.
Whatever the consequences might have been will never be known. Kilkenny achieved partial redress for the All-Ireland final defeats of 2022 and ‘23, and the League final whacking that fell in between them.
“I've heard a few times that we've been beaten by Limerick in finals,” Lyng said in reference to the pre-match narrative. “But we were beaten by a fantastic team, and you could have no complaints on the given day. If you want to test yourself and improve as a group and as a team, you need to be pitching yourself against the best. We'll take the positives from today, but it's just about driving on now.”
The standout positives arrived at the beginning of either half.
Cathal O’Neill and Limerick thundered into proceedings. The half-back was twice fouled in the opening three minutes. It was the source of 1-1, the goal coming from the stick of Gillane. A point from O’Neill himself and Limerick were 1-2 clear by the fourth minute.
“I thought we responded very well to the start Limerick got,” Lyng remarked.
“Lads could easily drop the heads pretty quickly. They're the kind of team that when they get a start on you like that and they get into the groove, they can punish you.
“But I thought we hurled well, and we hurled our way back into the game. Eoin Cody’s goal was very important and it gave the whole team a bit of a boost. There was good energy there after that.”
Cody’s goal was part of an unanswered 2-3 in the space of four minutes to take Kilkenny from five down to four in front by the 12th minute. Their second major was a saved Cody shot scooped in by Luke Hogan.
Cody earned a yellow shortly after for a reckless challenge on O'Neill. A second yellow three minutes into the second period for a slap on Declan Hannon had his evening done. With Donnacha Ó Dálaigh having narrowed the gap to five in the previous play and the wind at Limerick’s back, the setting was ripe for an overhauling effort.
It never arrived, though. A succession of TJ Reid frees kept Limerick at a distance.
“When Eoin got sent off, I thought we managed it pretty well for a while. Obviously the teams were evened up then (Peter Casey walked 19 minutes later). I know we have a lot of improving still to do but we're progressing pretty well, so I'm happy with that.”
If those three most recent defeats to Limerick taught them anything, it is that attempting to outpoint the white flag masters is a futile exercise. Kilkenny went baldheaded for goals.
“We know we have the players, but I thought we created chances today, which was a positive. It's just important that we keep improving on that, keep creating chances, and hopefully start taking a few more as the year goes on.
“The League final will be a great test for us to get. We'll be going for it anyway. Whatever happens, it's about getting ready for championship. It's a good place to be and another opportunity for us.”