Ursula Jacob: Limerick visit chance for Kilkenny to rediscover ruthless streak

RTÉ GAA analyst Ursula Jacob has said that Sunday's Allianz Hurling League clash with Limerick is a chance for Kilkenny to really ramp up their 2025 performances.

Derek Lyng’s side have won two of three opening Division 1A fixtures, but for Jacob, there still has been something missing even this early in the season.

"I think any neutral and any GAA fan is really looking forward to this because when Kilkenny are playing in Nowlan Park, they seem to bring out their best hurling," she said on the RTÉ GAA podcast.

"Backed by a big home crowd, this is going to be the biggest test for Kilkenny in the league to see where they are at.

"They’ve come through the first three rounds, some patchy performances, periods of dominance then drifted out of games – which has been a little bit un-Kilkenny like.

"Even the last day against Wexford, they were in complete control, the game was over at half time, but I thought that ruthless streak that you would have seen five, six, seven years ago where they really would have went all out for more in the second half but they took the foot off the pedal.

"Same against Galway, the scored 1-06 without reply in the second half and then they allowed Galway back into it."

We need your consent to load this YouTube content We use YouTube to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preferences

While Jacob said that it’s necessary to remember just how early in the season it is, the clash still provides a chance to lay down a marker.

"They haven’t put together a complete performance in this league," she added. "It still only is the league, they’re trialling out things, but I’d like to see