Kiely hails good 'omens' for Limerick and Cian Lynch

Limerick manager John Kiely feels his side's performance against Cork in the Co-Op Superstores Munster Senior League bodes well for the year ahead.

The reigning All-Ireland Hurling champions lost 0-20 to 1-16 at Páirc Uí Rinn in their first taste of 2023 action but Kiely was pleased by the display from his team which included a clutch of debutants.

"I'm very happy with the entire group. I think everybody contributed today," he told RTÉ Sport at full-time on Sunday.

"It's just a good omen for us from an attitude perspective. If we can build on that now going forward, I think we'll be very happy with that."

With Limerick due to get their Allianz Hurling League campaign underway against Cork on 4 February, Kiely also offered a positive assessment in regard to Cian Lynch's return to the fold.

The two-time Hurler of the Year has been a long-term injury absentee due to an ankle issue which kept him out of the bulk of Limerick's championship-winning campaign.

"Cian is doing really well, has trained right throughout the block of work that we've done and his recovery is pretty much what I'd call complete at this stage," said Kiely.

"He's just, like everybody else, getting on with his work. So I'm very happy with his recovery thankfully."

Kiely also allayed concerns over Mike Casey who picked up a knee injury last November whilst in action for his club Na Piarsaigh.

"Mikey again is doing really, really well. Initially we were fearful that it might have been a more serious injury but thankfully it wasn't," he said.

"He had to have a minor procedure and that went really well and his rehab is going very well and that's all on track so we're very happy with where it's at.

"So at the minute, health-wise, we're in a good place and long may that