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John Kiely Sums Up Why 2022 Triumph Tops Limerick's Other All-Ireland Wins

John Kiely Sums Up Why 2022 Triumph Tops Limerick's Other All-Ireland Wins
Gary Connaughton
By Gary Connaughton
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If there were about doubts before, you can now officially place this Limerick sides in the history books as one of the greatest teams to ever play the sport.

Three All-Ireland titles in-a-row is a remarkable achievement, one made even more impressive when you considering that they also won the 2018 edition.

Of course, the atmosphere at this year's All-Ireland final was much different in comparison to the last couple of years. Covid played a big part in those campaigns, meaning this is only the second time that they will have lifted the Liam MacCarthy in front of packed Croke Park.

Limerick manager John Kiely celebrates with the Liam MacCarthy Cup after the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Final. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

John Kiely hugely proud of Limerick after All-Ireland final

Things were not easy for Limerick this year. They struggled through much of the league campaign, while a number of their top performers struggled with injuries over the last number of months.

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Despite this, they would win every single championship match in 2022.

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Speaking to Sky Sports after the final, John Kiely summed up why this was the team's most special All-Ireland title yet.

I'm sure on reflection it will be something that we will really cherish and be appreciative of, but for today it is about this game and this title.

We had a lot of setbacks during the course of the year, a huge amount, more than anybody will ever know. The resilience that was built up in our group throughout the spring and injuries to Cian [Lynch], Kyle [Hayes], Brian O'Grady. I could go on and on about lads we lost during the course of the campaign, we lost four players in the last two weeks...

This is by far and away the most special, far and away. This was a huge, huge challenge.

What we've had to overcome in the last number of months as a group has been just incredible. We had two men go down injured on Friday night in training, your heart would drop, but you just can't allow it to. You've got to get up and go on.

They overcame and it and produced fantastic performance today...

I'm exhausted, it was absolutely draining. But I'm elated at the same time. I'm so thrilled for our players and the backroom team, they've worked tirelessly for the last six months to achieve what they have done today. I'm so proud of them...

The reception the players got in the parade before the game was just immense. When they got back over here towards the Hogan the noise level went through the roof, it would make the hair stand on the back of your neck.

Listen, it's great to have everybody back and hopefully everybody is safe and well.

Limerick will be favourites to lift the trophy once again in 2023, although Kilkenny showed this afternoon that they certainly have enough quality to make another run in the championship next summer.

For now, the Munster county will be enjoying the first real celebrations that they have been able to have since 2018.

SEE ALSO: Donal Óg Cusack & Liam Sheedy Slam 'Ridiculous' Hurling Rule Before Final

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