John Kiely and Paul Kinnerk back for more with Limerick

Hurling's second-most successful manager John Kiely will be back to lead Limerick for two more seasons, along with coach Paul Kinnerk.

The Galbally man was appointed for the 2017 season, having led the county to the 2015 Under-21 All-Ireland title.

At that point, Limerick hadn't lifted Liam MacCarthy since 1973 but Kiely, and many of those U21 players, ended the drought in 2018 and went on to win a fantastic four in a row from 2020 to 2023.

They were widely expected to become the first hurling senior county to claim five consecutive titles this year but made a surprise semi-final exit at the hands of Munster rivals Cork.

Asked by RTÉ Sport after that game whether he would have stepped down if the five-in-a-row had been secured, Kiely, second only to Brian Cody in terms of titles as a manger, replied: "That hasn't been done, so we don't have to worry about that then, do we?"

"There will be some people in that [dressing] room who may not be there next year but that is for another day."

However, the 52-year-old will now extend his reign to nine seasons if he completes the new two-year term.

A statement from Limerick GAA on Tuesday night said: "Following a county board monthly meeting this evening at the Woodlands House Hotel, John Kiely and Paul Kinnerk were appointed for a two-year term with the Limerick senior hurling team... the backroom team will be announced shortly."

Donal O Grady, Aonghus O Brien, Alan Cunningham, John Flavin (coach) and Joe O Connor (performance) were the other members of this year's management team, which appears to be in line for a shake-up.

Kiely, a deputy principal and former principal at The Abbey School in Tipperary, is currently on a one-year career break.

His appearance at the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis in