John Kiely celebrates following Limerick's All Ireland win in August.
By Cian O'Connell
Four months later with Christmas fast approaching the glow of satisfaction lingers in Limerick.
John Kiely, though, is looking forward to embracing the next challenge, keeping Limerick relevant with the return to Division 1A of the Allianz Hurling League high on the agenda.
Before then Limerick will play two matches in the Co-op Superstores Munster Hurling League before travelling to Mexico for a well earned holiday.
Kiely is eager to experiment in the upcoming clashes against Limerick and Kerry. "We wanted to play in the competition, we have a large panel so it’s important that we give panellists an opportunity to show where they’re at," Kiely says.
"We got a lot out of the competition last year and out of respect for the competition we were anxious to play in it and they’ve facilitated us with two games before Christmas before we go so we play Tipp on the 14th and Kerry on the 20th and sure we’ll see how they go."
Did anything stand out from the celebrations for the proud Galbally clubman? "Going home to my own club was incredible, it’s probably a bit of a blur to be honest about it," Kiely admits.
"It came very soon after the All-Ireland and there was so many people there you didn’t get to meet the people you wanted to meet at all as such, but it was a great night and everyone really really enjoyed it and we’ll have a bit of a club function a little closer to Christmas just where the club itself will come together.
"They won the county intermediate football championship as well so they’re back up senior and Garryspillane are back up senior in the hurling so we’ve plenty to celebrate out our way apart from Limerick at all."
For 45 years Limerick people waited and wondered when the Liam MacCarthy Cup would be hoisted. Now the current generation will be intent on remaining perched on the summit of the hurling world.
John Kiely watches an exciting All Ireland Final unfold at Croke Park.
"It’ll be interesting to see what effect it has on the group," Kiely acknowledges. "Obviously winning one is a great confidence booster and it fulfils you with the belief that you can actually do it and you can get across the line.
"We will approach this season very much with a sense of one game at a time, the same as we did for the last two years.
"It worked well for us last year, it didn’t work well for us the year before. We’ll see how it goes this year. We’re really looking forward to 2019. I’ve a feeling, as good as 2018 was as a Championship, I just have a sense that 2019 could be even more special.
"I think there’s going to be a lot of really, really strong competitive panels out there and I think the competitions will be incredible over the next couple of months."
Retaining an All Ireland title is a notoriously difficult task. "Last year we were looking to know how we could close a gap of 45 years," Kiely adds.
"You’re talking about closing a gap of nine months. Look, I’ve no doubt it’s going to be very difficult and a huge challenge.
"But we’ve risen to any challenge that has been put in front of us in the last couple of years. The players have come through this phase really well, I’m really happy with where they’re at.
"They’re a very ambitious bunch of lads and we will really go and do our level best again, like we do all the time. Every time we play, we go out to win. Listen, I know there’s going to be a huge challenge brought to us from the other teams in the competition.
"But look that’s a different perspective, it was one we had for 45 years. We were always the ones trying to bring the challenge to the other teams for being successful. I think we’ll relish the opportunity of meeting that challenge head on."
