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Limerick Senior Hurling 2026

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Genuine question about Cork here but how many times of 'collapsing' would it take for people's views of them to change?

ColmFlaherty (Galway) - Posts: 214 - 23/07/2026 10:29:48    2686705

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Replying To ColmFlaherty:  "Genuine question about Cork here but how many times of 'collapsing' would it take for people's views of them to change?"
Why is the limerick thread about Cork?

Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 760 - 23/07/2026 12:04:00    2686723

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Replying To ColmFlaherty:  "Genuine question about Cork here but how many times of 'collapsing' would it take for people's views of them to change?"
As long as I can remember Cork have always had fast and unbelievably talented and skillful forwards. This will win you a lot of matches and allow you to compete with most teams on any given day. I always fell like Cork will always be in with a shout of beating anyone on any given day and I don't believe the same can be said about many other counties.


Where they have fallen down in recent years in my opinion is that they have still failed to find a top class full back. Cormac Joyce looked like their best option but he got injured in the first round robin game and is out for the foreseeable future.

If he comes back they are very likely contenders again

LimerickandProud (Limerick) - Posts: 296 - 23/07/2026 12:34:40    2686735

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Replying To Tadhg2020:  "Why is the limerick thread about Cork?"
Ask the person who first brought it up in here.

ColmFlaherty (Galway) - Posts: 214 - 23/07/2026 13:36:43    2686759

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Replying To LimerickandProud:  "As long as I can remember Cork have always had fast and unbelievably talented and skillful forwards. This will win you a lot of matches and allow you to compete with most teams on any given day. I always fell like Cork will always be in with a shout of beating anyone on any given day and I don't believe the same can be said about many other counties.


Where they have fallen down in recent years in my opinion is that they have still failed to find a top class full back. Cormac Joyce looked like their best option but he got injured in the first round robin game and is out for the foreseeable future.

If he comes back they are very likely contenders again"
They certainly are always up their nearly every year, however I'm thinking if we get to let's say 2030 and they still haven't won Liam whilst maybe us, Clare and Tipp perhaps have had some success. Would they still be regarded in the top 2 of the country.

ColmFlaherty (Galway) - Posts: 214 - 23/07/2026 13:39:17    2686762

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wont name names but as regards some of the cork players (mostly forwards). when cork are in their rhythym and are finding the going easy and plenty room around the pitch certain cork players will make a 5 point lead 10 12 14. scoring for fun. but when cork are in a hole and need players to stand up they dissapear.

munsterchamps (Limerick) - Posts: 1171 - 23/07/2026 13:49:43    2686769

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Replying To LimerickandProud:  "As long as I can remember Cork have always had fast and unbelievably talented and skillful forwards. This will win you a lot of matches and allow you to compete with most teams on any given day. I always fell like Cork will always be in with a shout of beating anyone on any given day and I don't believe the same can be said about many other counties.


Where they have fallen down in recent years in my opinion is that they have still failed to find a top class full back. Cormac Joyce looked like their best option but he got injured in the first round robin game and is out for the foreseeable future.

If he comes back they are very likely contenders again"
I dont think the lost their last two run outs in Croke Park because they were missing a FB
Talent wise, skill wise, they are as good as anybody and better than most.
They are capable of running up a big score against any team if things go their way (v Dublin in semi last year, v Offaly in QF, v Clare in round robin, v Tipp in last years League Final
And they have shown plenty of fight in must win games.
I dont know if the problem is coaching or preparation but in two big games now, opposition has gotten a run going and they have collapsed
Incapable of adjusting to what the opposition is doing and changing the terms of engagement. Passive
All that said, they have shown more than anybody they can beat Limerick, they have a lot of talent coming through, and their management team will have learned a lot from this season

After Limerick favourites for the AI
Ahead of Galway but just maybe. Galaway have the players and the managment to win
Clare are probably looking a little bit of rebuilding and maybe need a couple of years to bed in new players
Tipp a big unknown - but are capable of winning it again
Kilkenny will improve - they have to - but hard to imagine them contending for the AI
Waterfords younger players will improve them, but their goal is to qualify for the AI
Dublin will improve but hard to see them making a huge step up to being AI contenders

The big question for Limerick is does Kiely double down on the same 20 players or does he try to blood 2-3 newer players. O Brien, English, O Neill, O Connor have been coming for 2-4 years now and have arrived
But who is coming behind them? Matthew Fitzgerald was outstanding in the League but then disappeared. Kiely has never really trusted Colin Coughlan, and the only others to get game time in Championship were Ethan Hurley, Fintan Fitgerakl and Hugh Flanagan (I think) but minimal amount of time
Kielys MO is to gradually, over several seasons, blood newcomers and I dont see any newcomers in the squad with a profile of being ready to start a big game. So assuming no retirements it'll be the same again next year. Which might be fine for another year but does he plan for longer term by more aggressively blooding newcomers or go with the tried and trusted.

Yadse (Limerick) - Posts: 287 - 23/07/2026 14:13:06    2686774

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Replying To Yadse:  "I dont think the lost their last two run outs in Croke Park because they were missing a FB
Talent wise, skill wise, they are as good as anybody and better than most.
They are capable of running up a big score against any team if things go their way (v Dublin in semi last year, v Offaly in QF, v Clare in round robin, v Tipp in last years League Final
And they have shown plenty of fight in must win games.
I dont know if the problem is coaching or preparation but in two big games now, opposition has gotten a run going and they have collapsed
Incapable of adjusting to what the opposition is doing and changing the terms of engagement. Passive
All that said, they have shown more than anybody they can beat Limerick, they have a lot of talent coming through, and their management team will have learned a lot from this season

After Limerick favourites for the AI
Ahead of Galway but just maybe. Galaway have the players and the managment to win
Clare are probably looking a little bit of rebuilding and maybe need a couple of years to bed in new players
Tipp a big unknown - but are capable of winning it again
Kilkenny will improve - they have to - but hard to imagine them contending for the AI
Waterfords younger players will improve them, but their goal is to qualify for the AI
Dublin will improve but hard to see them making a huge step up to being AI contenders

The big question for Limerick is does Kiely double down on the same 20 players or does he try to blood 2-3 newer players. O Brien, English, O Neill, O Connor have been coming for 2-4 years now and have arrived
But who is coming behind them? Matthew Fitzgerald was outstanding in the League but then disappeared. Kiely has never really trusted Colin Coughlan, and the only others to get game time in Championship were Ethan Hurley, Fintan Fitgerakl and Hugh Flanagan (I think) but minimal amount of time
Kielys MO is to gradually, over several seasons, blood newcomers and I dont see any newcomers in the squad with a profile of being ready to start a big game. So assuming no retirements it'll be the same again next year. Which might be fine for another year but does he plan for longer term by more aggressively blooding newcomers or go with the tried and trusted."
That is tough one. We have some generational players who have consistently proven that they can cut the mustard when it counts and it is hard to change from them. The current management have taken lots of opportunities to bring very young lads on the panel to build experience and future reference points and not putting them in until they were ready.

For instance Adam English, Cathal O'Neill and Aidan O'Connor are all on the for a number of years. While Cathal and Adam were deemed ready to start in 2023. Aidan O'Connor was not really considered ready until last year. There a lot of young fellas on the extended panel and with a bit of experience will start pushing the current team.

The age profile of numbers 26 to 37 on the panel has dropped significantly over the last few years and lots of decent older players who failed to make the breakthrough to the team like for example Conor Boylan, Michael Houlihan, Jason Gillane and Oisin O'Reilly have been replaced with younger guys like Fionn O'Brien, Fintan Fitzgerald, Ethan Hurley, Mathew Fitzgerald, Dara Ferland and Hugh Flanagan who have buckets of potential if they can be nurtured the same way as Cathal O'Neill and Adam English

Colin Coughlan is one of the club wing backs in Ireland at present. The trouble for him is that Diarmuid Byrnes and Kyle Hayes might be two of the best wing backs ever to play the game and perhaps he might have to wait a little longer for his chance.

LimerickandProud (Limerick) - Posts: 296 - 23/07/2026 16:57:04    2686812

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What a year for Limerick, won every trophy there was available and completed a first Senior and Minor double since 1940.

The minor win was hugely important given our struggles underage in recent season.

The only possible cloud on horizon would be a John Kiely depatrure as i feel he and Paul Kinnerk are a package deal, nobody could follow them.

Our performances this year have convinced me we can go again for top honours, what an era for Limerick supporters spoiled since 2018.


Munster will be fascinating next year and Leinster too, it was heartening to hear the players say how much they were looking forward to going back training next season.

Sliothar73 (Limerick) - Posts: 27 - 24/07/2026 21:24:36    2686972

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Replying To LimerickandProud:  "That is tough one. We have some generational players who have consistently proven that they can cut the mustard when it counts and it is hard to change from them. The current management have taken lots of opportunities to bring very young lads on the panel to build experience and future reference points and not putting them in until they were ready.

For instance Adam English, Cathal O'Neill and Aidan O'Connor are all on the for a number of years. While Cathal and Adam were deemed ready to start in 2023. Aidan O'Connor was not really considered ready until last year. There a lot of young fellas on the extended panel and with a bit of experience will start pushing the current team.

The age profile of numbers 26 to 37 on the panel has dropped significantly over the last few years and lots of decent older players who failed to make the breakthrough to the team like for example Conor Boylan, Michael Houlihan, Jason Gillane and Oisin O'Reilly have been replaced with younger guys like Fionn O'Brien, Fintan Fitzgerald, Ethan Hurley, Mathew Fitzgerald, Dara Ferland and Hugh Flanagan who have buckets of potential if they can be nurtured the same way as Cathal O'Neill and Adam English

Colin Coughlan is one of the club wing backs in Ireland at present. The trouble for him is that Diarmuid Byrnes and Kyle Hayes might be two of the best wing backs ever to play the game and perhaps he might have to wait a little longer for his chance."
Brilliant year and great to see the lads back winning all ireland .
County championships coming up and kiely / kinnerk will be scouting for improvement in players that can contribute more to the core group for next year.
League time id expect a better testing of our strength of depth in squad .this year was a real mission for the team and I think pressure to an extent will be off in some ways.
Will anyone retire?, hard to know but I think most will stay and return for next year ,they are enjoying playing and winning too.already looking forward to it.
Luimneach abu

Knockfiarna (Limerick) - Posts: 26 - 26/07/2026 23:57:41    2687389

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Well done to Colin Ryan on the Poc fada

Southsham (Limerick) - Posts: 760 - 04/08/2026 12:40:09    2688628

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early days but Kilmallock have made some start to the Championship
Beating NaP last week after going well behind showed grit, but last night they lead Doon all the way, should have been more than 6 up at HT, but repeated the dose in the second half.
It was a real quality performance
Have now beaten the last two winners and last years finalists
They look to have real depth, and not overly dependent on any single player. Even off the bench with the likes of Enright coming on. Connery looks the real deal, Aaron Costello, Hanley Clarkes puck outs are a weapon, Houlihan can shoot frees from anywhere and O'Brien is unmarkable. And with Mulcahy still pulling the strings now from midfield.
Interesting to see if others can figure out how to stop them, and if they can adapt and keep winning

Yadse (Limerick) - Posts: 287 - 07/08/2026 14:44:50    2688981

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These were 2 huge results for killmallock..I agree they look like a very balanced team with some young fellas blending in very well with established names..another win almost guarantees knock out hurling for them..
Two big games tomorrow with ahane slight favourites to beat Ballybrown..the other game will surely see na piarsaigh bounce back after the set back of last week.
Very hard to see past patrickswell in the second group..adare put up a huge score last week without Declan Hannon..they'll expect to beat Kildimo/Pallas which would leave them in a very strong position..the bouncers/Newcastle game looks a likely relegation shoot out..
Great to have club matches back on and some very exciting games to look forward to at all grades..

CTGAA10 (Limerick) - Posts: 2714 - 07/08/2026 16:53:34    2689004

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Replying To LimerickandProud:  "That is tough one. We have some generational players who have consistently proven that they can cut the mustard when it counts and it is hard to change from them. The current management have taken lots of opportunities to bring very young lads on the panel to build experience and future reference points and not putting them in until they were ready.

For instance Adam English, Cathal O'Neill and Aidan O'Connor are all on the for a number of years. While Cathal and Adam were deemed ready to start in 2023. Aidan O'Connor was not really considered ready until last year. There a lot of young fellas on the extended panel and with a bit of experience will start pushing the current team.

The age profile of numbers 26 to 37 on the panel has dropped significantly over the last few years and lots of decent older players who failed to make the breakthrough to the team like for example Conor Boylan, Michael Houlihan, Jason Gillane and Oisin O'Reilly have been replaced with younger guys like Fionn O'Brien, Fintan Fitzgerald, Ethan Hurley, Mathew Fitzgerald, Dara Ferland and Hugh Flanagan who have buckets of potential if they can be nurtured the same way as Cathal O'Neill and Adam English

Colin Coughlan is one of the club wing backs in Ireland at present. The trouble for him is that Diarmuid Byrnes and Kyle Hayes might be two of the best wing backs ever to play the game and perhaps he might have to wait a little longer for his chance."
I think its very simple given JKs track record. Its not easy to get a hand on a jersey, get on the extended panel, get on the match day panel and ultimately start. You have to prove you are ready on the training ground, there is very few handouts to gain some game experience. JKs methods mean if you get a chance you have to take it and sets standards very high. Show you are ready on the training field and you get your shot, then its up to you to take it. Retirements in the coming years could effect these methods.
Coughlan has it particularly tough in that he is trying to dislodge two of possibly the greatest half backs of all time.

The challenge is more laid down to the players themselves rather than Kiely.

Fitzy01 (Limerick) - Posts: 504 - 17/08/2026 11:23:27    2690158

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Replying To Fitzy01:  "I think its very simple given JKs track record. Its not easy to get a hand on a jersey, get on the extended panel, get on the match day panel and ultimately start. You have to prove you are ready on the training ground, there is very few handouts to gain some game experience. JKs methods mean if you get a chance you have to take it and sets standards very high. Show you are ready on the training field and you get your shot, then its up to you to take it. Retirements in the coming years could effect these methods.
Coughlan has it particularly tough in that he is trying to dislodge two of possibly the greatest half backs of all time.

The challenge is more laid down to the players themselves rather than Kiely."
I still think that this year the emphasis was on getting the starting 15 and next 5 right and not on bringing on younger players with the future in mind
The "new" starters were not really new, all had been knocking on the door but just hadnt nailed down a starting spot
There are a few younger players in the squad with promise but apart from Coughlan its hard to identify a single player that has the profile of a Shane O Brien, Aidan O Connor, Cathal O Neill: a young talent, with enough big game experience off the bench that they could be trusted to start

you see some coaches throwing in young lads straight from U20 into big Championship games with minimal experience (this year you saw Stritch from Clare, and Walsh from Cork).
Kiely doesn't do that
Not criticizing him for that - its his MO, and its all about the collective and it works but
I think other coaches are more inclined to see an individual talent, even one a bit rough around the edges, and throw them in and see what happens. Not Kiely or Kinnerk.
I dont think there will be retirements, but you could easily see 1 or 2 older players slip a little and struggle to retain a starting spot. But not having 2 or 3 obvious replacements ready to step up could be a factor in the coming year.

This year that freshness of the newcomers was critical, next year where will that come from?

Yadse (Limerick) - Posts: 287 - 18/08/2026 13:58:00    2690312

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Replying To Yadse:  "I still think that this year the emphasis was on getting the starting 15 and next 5 right and not on bringing on younger players with the future in mind
The "new" starters were not really new, all had been knocking on the door but just hadnt nailed down a starting spot
There are a few younger players in the squad with promise but apart from Coughlan its hard to identify a single player that has the profile of a Shane O Brien, Aidan O Connor, Cathal O Neill: a young talent, with enough big game experience off the bench that they could be trusted to start

you see some coaches throwing in young lads straight from U20 into big Championship games with minimal experience (this year you saw Stritch from Clare, and Walsh from Cork).
Kiely doesn't do that
Not criticizing him for that - its his MO, and its all about the collective and it works but
I think other coaches are more inclined to see an individual talent, even one a bit rough around the edges, and throw them in and see what happens. Not Kiely or Kinnerk.
I dont think there will be retirements, but you could easily see 1 or 2 older players slip a little and struggle to retain a starting spot. But not having 2 or 3 obvious replacements ready to step up could be a factor in the coming year.

This year that freshness of the newcomers was critical, next year where will that come from?"
The newcomers this year will still only be young fellas next year. Personally Im not sure Colin Coughlan will make a long term Senior starter for you, but I could be wrong. Lads like Hugh Flanagan and Ethan Hurley are good prospects. Donnacha o'Dalaigh is maybe closer to Senior level already.
Ive no doubt you will be competitive even when most of the 2015 and 2018 u21 winning teams have retired. Thats not going to be for a few years yet.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20516 - 18/08/2026 16:59:44    2690356

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Replying To Viking66:  "The newcomers this year will still only be young fellas next year. Personally Im not sure Colin Coughlan will make a long term Senior starter for you, but I could be wrong. Lads like Hugh Flanagan and Ethan Hurley are good prospects. Donnacha o'Dalaigh is maybe closer to Senior level already.
Ive no doubt you will be competitive even when most of the 2015 and 2018 u21 winning teams have retired. Thats not going to be for a few years yet."
In my view the problem with Donnacha is that he cant seem to win his own ball or make it stick. If you get him the ball in hand on the run he is lethal but if he can't make the dirty (or less than perfect) ball stick he won't make it at senior intercounty level.

I have seen a lot of Limerick club championship hurling so far this year and I have to say I think we have some great young players coming though the clubs who can win their own ball (even on hard pitches with funny bounces) and take a score and for this reason I think Donnacha O'Dalaigh days at senior could be numbered

LimerickandProud (Limerick) - Posts: 296 - 19/08/2026 13:31:25    2690438

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For next year I wonder will we see alot more of Hego in the F Forward line?
I think it is a great option.
As regards C Coughlan would Kiely give him a run in the half backs and release Kyle back into the half forward line.
Also would Coughlan be worth a try at Full Back ?

Southsham (Limerick) - Posts: 760 - 19/08/2026 14:26:59    2690449

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Replying To Southsham:  "For next year I wonder will we see alot more of Hego in the F Forward line?
I think it is a great option.
As regards C Coughlan would Kiely give him a run in the half backs and release Kyle back into the half forward line.
Also would Coughlan be worth a try at Full Back ?"
If Coughlan is going to make it it will be at 3.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20516 - 19/08/2026 14:57:23    2690461

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Replying To Southsham:  "For next year I wonder will we see alot more of Hego in the F Forward line?
I think it is a great option.
As regards C Coughlan would Kiely give him a run in the half backs and release Kyle back into the half forward line.
Also would Coughlan be worth a try at Full Back ?"
I know I'm an outsider but if I were to see Coughlan to be a new starter for Hayes to half forward I'd imagine then that one of Lynch/Morrisey/Hegarty/DOD will have very reduced minutes or retired as there'd be too much choice.

ColmFlaherty (Galway) - Posts: 214 - 19/08/2026 15:48:19    2690471

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