As we settle into autumn. the 2025 intercounty GAA season feels ages away but counties are making the vital decisions that will determine success for next year.
John Kiely has announced the backroom team who will work alongside himself and Paul Kinnerk as Limerick look to regain Liam MacCarthy after Cork derailed the drive-for-five.
Perhaps the most interesting news to come from Limerick Live's report on Friday is that Antrim man Cairbre Ó Cairealláin is stepping down as strength and conditioning coach.
Ó Cairealláin started working with Limerick in 2022 and was involved for three seasons with John Kiely. Two of those were All-Ireland winning campaigns.
The Belfast native was also the S&C coach for Liam Sheedy's Tipperary team who won Liam MacCarthy in 2019. He's a fascinating person who's also worked with Arsenal and is often described as a 'guru' in the world of S&C.
It'll be interesting to see his next move in the sport.
'Sambo was like you'll be listening to this s*** you're whole life unless you do something about it'
Cairbre Ó Cairealláin speaks to @diarmuidlyng on hurling for the Antrim minors and his encounters with well-meaning but sometimes condescending hurling folk from over the border pic.twitter.com/B72UAsFe75— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) June 24, 2024
He'll be replaced by Adrian O'Brien. The Kilmallock man is father of Limerick upstart Shane 'The Bull' O'Brien.
O'Brien has run O'Brien Fitness for the past decade and on his website is described as a "renowned performance coach, public speaker, and a student of success."
Other Limerick coaching appointments
It's also been confirmed that Joe O'Connor has stepped away from the 'Caroline Currid' role after a year with Limerick. He'll be replaced by Paul Kilgannon as Limerick's head performance coach.
Kilgannon is the author of the book 'Be the Best You Can Be In Sport', and has created the 'Carver Coaching framework'. He's coached youth hurling with the Carnmore club in Galway.
As had been flagged last week, selector Donal O'Grady will be stopping his work with the senior team in order to manager the Limerick minors. He'll replace Limerick great Shane Dowling, who held the position for one season.
Liam Cronin, who has an extensive coaching CV, will step in as a coach.
The appointments are set to be confirmed at this Tuesday's meeting of the Limerick county board.
SEE ALSO: Armagh Backroom Team Announcement Proves All-Ireland Won't Be Flash In The Pan
