Loss 'hurts immeasurably' but Limerick will bounce back - John Kiely

Limerick's defeat to Cork in a classic All-Ireland hurling semi-final 'hurts immeasurably' but John Kiely has vowed that the Treaty will bounce back in 2025.

Two games from history, Limerick saw their drive for five halted by an inspired Cork side, who withstood their Munster rival's late surge to prevail 1-28 to 0-29 in front of over 82,000 in Croke Park.

"Hats off to Cork. Congratulations to them, we wish them well. They fought to the bitter end," Kiely said afterwards. "They were that bit more efficient than us. But I have to say I am incredibly proud of the efforts of our team.

"It's not easy to come back time after time after time and show the levels of hunger and desire that our lads have shown for so many years."

Limerick fought back from a seven-point deficit to within two but Kiely and his assistant Paul Kinnerk were left to rue an unusual lack of efficiency from their sixin-a-row Munster champions.

"I thought we finished the game quite strong. Definitely created enough scoring opportunities, I think we had 38 scoring opportunities to their 36.

"It boiled down to efficiency at end of the day and theirs was better than ours. That's top quality sport."

But Kiely could not fault the effort of his side, who fought to the end as they suffered their first defeat in Croke Park since the 2019 semi-final loss to Kilkenny.

Cork extinguish Limerick hopes of a historic 5th All-Ireland title at the semi-final stage. ⚾