LIMERICK'S SENIOR HURLING MANAGER John Kiely refused to comment on speculation about their star man Aaron Gillane absence after the 0-20 to 1-16 defeat to Cork in the Munster SHL this weekend.
The All-Ireland champions spent 10 days between Florida and the Bahamas over Christmas, but the three-time All-Star (Gillane) was not there.
According to reports the Patrickswell attacker is said to have been banished from the squad before Christmas for disciplinary reasons.
The 27-year-old played a starring role in last year's All-Ireland final win over Kilkenny. He became Limerick’s record scorer in the 1-31 to 2-26 win back in July
Limerick manager Kiely was asked about this over the weekend and said: "I don't"
‘No comment’ – John Kiely stays silent on Aaron Gillane’s absence from Limerick squad @mlverney https://t.co/LKolIX5RMD
— Independent Sport (@IndoSport) January 16, 2023
In more positive news for the Treaty Diarmaid Byrnes 'the Hurler of the Year' is set to return to the panel in a number of weeks.
"Diarmaid is away for a while now. We'll see him hopefully in a few weeks' time again. That's all pre-arranged. We had all agreed. These guys have to live their lives as well. We don't own them," Kiely added.
"Hurling is a pastime for these guys, not a profession. He's just gone away for a short little while but he'll be back again."
Limerick and Cork will do battle again on the 4th of february in the league.
That game will be played at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 7.30pm.
Cork vs Limerick 15th Jan Munster SHL, Cork 0-20 Limerick 1-16
Scorers for Cork: Conor Lehane 0-12 (0-7 frees, 0-1 65), Cormac Beausang, Brian Hayes 0-2 each, Luke Meade, Shane Barrett, Conor Cahalane, Brian O’Sullivan 0-1 each.
Scorers for Limerick: David Reidy 0-9f, Darragh O’Donovan 1-0, Shane O’Brien, Aidan O’Connor 0-2 each, Oisín O’Reilly, Barry Murphy, Conor O’Grady 0-1 each.
CORK: Patrick Collins; Conor O’Callaghan, Robert Downey, Seán O’Donoghue; Cathal Cormack, Ciarán Joyce, Cormac O’Brien; Tommy O’Connell, Brian O’Sullivan; Conor Cahalane, Conor Lehane, Luke Meade; Cormac Beausang, Brian Hayes, Shane Barrett.
Subs: Sam Quirke for O’Sullivan (half-time), Patrick Horgan for Meade, Brian Roche for Cahalane, Declan Dalton for Barrett (57), Colin Walsh for O’Connell (62), Eoin Downey for Quirke (64, injured).
LIMERICK: David McCarthy; Richie English, Fergus O’Connor, Aaron Costello; Mark Quinlan, Dan Morrissey, Ciarán Barry; Darragh O’Donovan, Robbie Hanley; Aidan O’Connor, David Reidy, Tom Morrissey; Shane O’Brien, Barry Murphy, Oisín O’Reilly.
Subs: Rory Duff for Hanley, Micheál Houlihan for O’Connor (both 53), Ronan Connolly for Barry (57), Jimmy Quilty for O’Connor, Darren O’Connell for O’Reilly (both 62), Conor O’Grady for O’Donovan (64).
