"We're bitterly disappointed we didn't close out the game better" - Kiely

May 12, 2024

Limerick boss John Kiely ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

Limerick manager John Kiely described yesterday’s late defeat to Cork in the Munster senior hurling championship as “bitterly disappointing”.

After coming from eight points behind, the goals of Seamus Flanagan would help the All-Ireland champions lead by three in the late stages before a Patrick Horgan penalty in injury-time saw the Rebels claim a 3-28 to 3-26 victory that keeps their championship hopes alive.

Speaking to RTE Sport afterwards at SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Kiely credited Cork for holding their nerve to get the result and looked forward to his team’s meeting with Waterford at the Gaelic Grounds in two weeks’ time.

"I'm trying to put it into perspective because it's a competition of four games. It's a league, we've played three and won two," said the Treaty boss.

"We're probably looking for a little bit more consistency across the full game but we are improving all the time. I think our second-half performance was very, very admirable, there were huge positives in there for us.

"We're bitterly disappointed we didn't close out the game better ourselves. We should have, we didn't and that's on us. We've got to swallow that pill now. All credit to Cork, they kept their head in it, they didn't panic in the second-half either.

"It's bitterly disappointing but we have to put it into perspective. We have another chance, we have another day and to have that in the Gaelic Grounds means a lot to us. I know our supporters will come and give these boys every encouragement in that situation.

"We have two weeks to get ready for it which is something I'm grateful to have because it means we'll be full of energy by the time that game comes around."


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