John Kiely is not happy with a government decision which meant 10 members of his Limerick panel had to watch Sunday's Munster hurling final victory against Waterford at home on television.
Limerick defeated Waterford by four points in Thurles. It was their first time winning back-to-back Munster titles since 1981.
However, due to county teams being restricted to a matchday group of 26 by Covid-19 guidelines, the entire Limerick panel was not at the stadium.
"Even today is tinged a little bit because we haven't got all our group with us," Limerick manager Kiely said after the game.
"You have 10 players at home, which in my view is completely and utterly unacceptable, given that I’ve 20 reporters standing in front of me and I’ve 10 of my panel at home. I’m quite offended by that situation we’ve been put in.
"I would appeal to the authorities at government level, at national level, to end this nonsense and allow the panels across all the county teams to be together. Because that unity that’s involved with 36 players is crucial.
"Our players should not be at home when we’ve 200 plus people in a stadium watching the match. Our players should be here, with their colleagues. As far as I’m concerned that cup won’t be presented until Tuesday night and we get to training with our full panel of players.
"That is a government decision I’m told. But listen, whoever is making the decision I disagree with it.”
Kiely added that the 10 players trained on Sunday to ensure their load is at the same level as the 26 who were involved in the Munster final.
"It's not about me," Kiely said.
"I've got a difficult conversation to have with 10 players every week anyway, that they're not making the 26. I have no problem with difficult conversations.
“I don’t agree with the premise that we can have 200-plus people in the stadium, which were here today watching this match, when my 10 players are at home this morning, training, number one, in order to keep their load up to the equivalent level to ensure that if they do get called up next week they don’t get injured because their load isn’t right.
"So that to me is just not acceptable because I don’t believe there is an inherent risk to 10 of those players coming with the rest of the group, in their own car like the rest of the group, siting in the stand, watching the match and being a part of our group after we’re finished.
"I don’t agree with it, I’ve a strong objection to it. I have made representations. I have been heard but the situation still stands."
Picture credit: Sportsfile / Video credit: Sporting Limerick
See Also: 'Waterford Have Arrived On The Hurling Scene As Regards Being A Real Force'
