John Kiely (Limerick hurler)

John Kiely
Personal information
Irish name Seán Ó Cadhla
Sport Hurling
Position Right corner-back
Born Galbally, County Limerick, Ireland
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Club(s)
Years Club
 Garryspillane
Galbally
Club titles
  Football Hurling
Limerick titles 2 1
Colleges(s)
Years College
 University College Cork
College titles
Fitzgibbon titles 0
Inter-county(ies)*
Years County Apps (scores)
1994-1996
 Limerick 0 (0-00)
Inter-county titles
Munster titles 1
All-Irelands 0
NHL 0
All Stars 0
*Inter County team apps and scores correct as of 14:55, 15 September 2016.

John Kiely is an Irish hurling manager and former selector, Gaelic footballer and hurler. He has been manager of the Limerick senior hurling team since 2016.[1]

Born in Galbally, County Limerick, Kiely first played competitive hurling and Gaelic football in his youth. After beginning his club career at juvenile and underage levels, he later became a dual player at senior level with the Galbally and Garryspillane teams. Kiely won a total of three championship medals across both codes.

He was principal of The Abbey, a secondary school in Tipperary Town for 10 years, before taking up the role of deputy principal in 2023. He took a one-year career break from his role as deputy principal in 2024.[2] [3][4]

Career

[edit]

Kiely made his debut on the inter-county scene at the age of seventeen when he joined the Limerick minor hurling team. After little success in this grade he later joined the under-21 team, also without championship success. Kiely was a member of the extended Limerick panel in 1994 before later winning a Munster medal as a non-playing substitute in 1996. He later captained the Limerick senior football team.[citation needed]

Management and coaching career

[edit]

Limerick intermediate manager

[edit]

After Limerick's 6-19 to 2-07 All-Ireland semi-final defeat by Tipperary in 2009, Kiely was prompted to become involved in inter-county team management with Limerick. "I rang [County Board chairman] Liam Lenihan the next day to tell him I wanted to get involved and help out at any level."[5] Kiely was later named as the new manager of the Limerick intermediate hurling team. In his first season with the team, Limerick were beaten by eventual Munster Championship winners Cork after extra-time in the semi-final.[6] The following year, Kiely's side lost out by two points to eventual All-Ireland champions Clare in the Munster final.[7]

Limerick under-21 selector

[edit]

In 2011, Kiely combined his role as intermediate manager with that of a selector with Leo O'Connor's Limerick under-21 team. On 3 August 2011, he was part of the management team that guided Limerick to a 4-20 to 1-27 extra-time defeat of Cork in the final of the Munster Championship.[8]

Limerick senior selector

[edit]

After John Allen's appointment as manager of the Limerick senior team in October 2012, Kiely was chosen to be part of the new management team as a selector.[9] His first season as a selector ended with Limerick failing to secure promotion from Division 1B of the National Hurling League before exiting the championship after a quarter-final defeat by Kilkenny.[10][11]

Limerick once again failed to secure promotion from Division 1B in Kiely's second season as a selector.[12] On 14 July 2013, he was a selector when Limerick defeated Cork by 0-24 to 0-15 to win the Munster Championship.[13] The management team stepped down at the end of the season.

Limerick under-21 manager

[edit]

On 18 September 2014, Kiely was appointed manager of the Limerick under-21 team in succession to Ciarán Carey.[14] He subsequently guided the team to the Munster Championship title after a 0-22 to 0-19 win over Clare in the final.[15][16] On 12 September 2015, Kiely was in charge when Limerick defeated Wexford by 0-26 to 1-07 in the All-Ireland final.[17] He ended the season by being named Manager of the Year by the Munster Council.[18]

Kiely's second season as manager of the Limerick under-21 team ended with a 2-12 to 1-13 Munster semi-final defeat by Tipperary.[19]

Limerick senior manager

[edit]

Kiely was named as the new manager of the Limerick senior team after a meeting of the County Board on 14 September 2016.[20] In his first season in charge, Limerick reached the semi-finals of the National League, losing by 1-11 to 1-21 to eventual champions Galway.[21] Kiely's side were later beaten by Clare in the Munster Championship, before exiting the All-Ireland Championship following a three-point defeat by Kilkenny.[22][23][24]

In his second season in charge, Kiely's side secured promotion to Division 1A of the National League after securing maximum points in their five group stage games.[25] Limerick later narrowly missed out on a place in the Munster final, however, their third-place finish in the new Munster Championship group stage allowed Limerick to qualify for the All-Ireland Championship.[26] Subsequent defeats of Carlow, Kilkenny and Cork secured a place in the All-Ireland final. On 19 August 2018, Kiely guided Limerick to their first All-Ireland title in 45 years after a 3-16 to 2-18 victory over Galway in the final.[27][28]

On 31 March 2019, Kiely guided Limerick to a first National League final appearance since 2005. A 1-24 to 0-19 defeat of Waterford secured a first league title for Limerick since 1997. In Munster, Limerick qualified for the Munster Final against Tipperary. The All Ireland Semi-Final saw Limerick face Kilkenny. Limerick were favourites but struggled as Kilkenny took a commanding lead and while Limerick fought back to reduce the lead to a point, they lost by the minimum and went out of the championship.

Limerick were hotly tipped to win back the All-Ireland in 2020. When the championship started in October, having been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Limerick retained their Munster title by defeating Waterford in the final. Victory over Galway put Kiely's team into a second All-Ireland final in three years. Again they faced Waterford and went on to win on a scoreline of 0-30 to 0-19. This victory gave them back the All-Ireland crown and also insured that Kiely's Limerick side went through all competitions in 2020 unbeaten.[29][30] In 2021, Limerick surrendered their league crown but went on to retain the Munster title following a dramatic comeback against Tipperary in the final, with Kiely's side coming back from ten points down to win by five. Victory over Waterford put Limerick into a second consecutive All-Ireland final. In the All-Ireland final Limerick defeated Cork on a scoreline of 3-32 to 1-22. With that victory Limerick retained the All-Ireland for the first time in their history and marked the highest winning score ever achieved in an All-Ireland Hurling final.[31][32]

2022 saw Limerick set out to capture three-in-a-row. After going through the Munster round robin unbeaten, Limerick beat Clare in the Munster final after extra time. On 3 July, Limerick defeated Galway in the All-Ireland Semi-Final by 0-27 to 1-21 to get back to the final. The final played on 18 July saw Limerick face Kilkenny. Limerick won the game by 1-31 to 2-26 to claim their fourth title in five years and their first ever three-in-a-row.

2023 saw Limerick try to equal Cork and Kilkenny's record by winning 4 in a row. From the start of the year, Limerick laid out their intentions by winning the League final against Kilkenny. On the 29th April, Limerick's unbeaten run in the Championship came to an end when Clare defeated them in The Munster Round Robin at the Gaelic Grounds by 1-24 to 2-20. However they met again in the Munster Final and Limerick turned the tables on them by winning by a single point, 1-23 to 1-22, giving Kiely's side a fifth Munster title in a row. After a win over Galway in the All Ireland Semi Final, Limerick faced Kilkenny in the final for the second year in a row. While Limerick struggled in the first half, they trailed by only a goal at half time. The second half saw Limerick take complete control as they outscored the Cats by 0-21 to 1-06, eventually winning by 0-30 to 2-15 to win the four in a row, becoming only the third team ever to accomplish it.[33][34]

In September 2024, Kiely signed on for another two years as Limerick manager.[35]

Managerial statistics

[edit]
As of match played 13 December 2020.
Managerial league-championship record by team and tenure
Team From To Record
P W D L Win %
Limerick 14 September 2016 Present 49 36 2 11 073.5

Honours

[edit]

As a player

[edit]
Galbally
Garryspillane
Limerick

In management

[edit]
Limerick
Individual

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "New manager John Kiely says managing Limerick is "a huge honour"". Irish Examiner. 14 September 2016. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  2. ^ "John Kiely signs up for two more years as Limerick hurling manager along with coach Paul Kinnerk". Irish Independent. 11 September 2024. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
  3. ^ Barry, Stephen (27 July 2018). "Proof the classroom is more conducive to an inter-county career". Irish Examiner. Two managers still standing are in education (John Meyler, a CIT lecturer, and John Kiely, principal of the Abbey School in Tipperary).
  4. ^ Tipp Mid West Radio (26 September 2023). "Tipp Town's Abbey School Appoints New Principal". Archived from the original on 9 November 2023.
  5. ^ Clerkin, Malachy (28 July 2018). "Kiely's quiet revolution leads Limerick back to the top table". Irish Times. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  6. ^ O'Toole, Fintan (21 June 2010). "Last-gasp Conway blast breaks Limerick hearts". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  7. ^ "Clare's Keane edge". Irish Independent. 14 July 2011. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  8. ^ Rooney, Declan (4 August 2011). "Hannon on the mark to edge thriller". Irish Independent. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  9. ^ "Allen ratified as new Limerick manager". Irish Examiner. 12 October 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  10. ^ "HL 1B final: Banner comeback floors Treaty". Hogan Stand. 7 April 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  11. ^ O'Flynn, Diarmuid (30 July 2012). "Limerick melt in 12-minute maelstrom". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  12. ^ Cullen, Damian (6 April 2013). "Dublin return to hurling's top table at Limerick's expense". Irish Times. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  13. ^ O'Flynn, Diarmuid (15 July 2011). "Day of joy sends tremor through Treaty". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  14. ^ Keane, Paul (19 September 2014). "No opposition as Kiely replaces Carey as Limerick U21 manager". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  15. ^ "Clare power and class too much for Limerick". Irish Examiner. 5 June 2014. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  16. ^ "Munster U21HC final: Treaty Lynch Banner". Hogan Stand. 30 July 2015. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  17. ^ Cormican, Eoghan (12 September 2015). "Limerick ease past Wexford to claim U21 hurling title". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  18. ^ "John Kiely is Manager of the Year". Limerick GAA website. 11 December 2015. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  19. ^ O'Toole, Fintan (14 July 2016). "Tipperary's great hurling week continues as they defeat Limerick in Munster U21 semi-final". The 42. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  20. ^ O'Connell, Cian (13 September 2016). "John Kiely installed as Limerick manager". GAA website. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  21. ^ "Galway see off Limerick to advance to Division 1 final". Irish Examiner. 16 April 2017. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  22. ^ "Goals from O'Donnell and McGrath key as Clare reach first Munster hurling final since 2008". The 42. 4 June 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  23. ^ "Kilkenny survive late Limerick rally to return to winning ways on home soil". The 42. 1 July 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  24. ^ "John Kiely: 'Nights when I was pacing the yard out the back, wondering, 'Am I the right man for this job?'". The 42. 13 July 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  25. ^ "Limerick return to top tier for first time since 2010 with defeat of All-Ireland champions". The 42. 11 March 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  26. ^ Breheny, Martin (17 June 2018). "Second half surge crucial as Clare leapfrog Limerick to seal Munster final place". Irish Independent. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  27. ^ McGoldrick, Seán (19 August 2018). "Limerick are All Ireland hurling champions for the first time in 45 years following epic victory over Galway". Irish Independent. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  28. ^ "'I said it after the game, this is not the end. It's the beginning' - John Kiely on the future of Limerick hurling". Irish Examiner. 20 August 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  29. ^ "LIMERICK 0-30 WATERFORD 0-19". GAA.ie. 13 December 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  30. ^ "All-Ireland SHC final recap: Limerick 0-30 Waterford 0-19". RTE Sport. 13 December 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  31. ^ Ryan, Eoin (22 August 2021). "Limerick crush Cork to claim back-to-back All-Irelands". RTÉ News and Current Affairs. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  32. ^ Fogarty, John (22 August 2021). "Record-breaking Limerick retain All-Ireland title after powerful win over Cork". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  33. ^ O'Toole, Fintan (31 March 2019). "Limerick end 22-year with for league honors in style with final win over Waterford". The 42. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
  34. ^ Ryan, Eoin (17 July 2022). "Resilient Limerick see off Kilkenny to claim three-in-a-row". RTÉ News. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  35. ^ "John Kiely and Paul Kinnerk back for more with Limerick". RTE Sport. 11 September 2024. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
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