Loughman was excellent in goal, made some great saves and I don't think he can be faulted for either of the goals. I'd be have tempted to give him a run against Athlone ahead of Healy.
Mike Kerley played at right-full and was class. Got forward well, passed it well, showed great composure at the back. He should definately be in on Thursday. Frank Browne at left back had a wretched first half, gifting Kilkenny's first goal with a hospital pass. In the second half however he was excellent! He showed a lot of flair going forward even if he did push forward too much at times. I'd say forget about playing him as full-back in future and just leave him on the wing. Purcell was very good, especially at one point in the second half where he had a fine run and shot brilliantly parried by Kilkenny's young keeper. Finucane wasn't bad either but by his own high standards he seemed a little bit hesitant at times.
In midfield Keating and O'Donoghue were bossed around. Keating at least made some bit of an impact but Shane didn't look comfortable at all in the middle and that's where the game was lost. A Limerick midfield without John Whyte doesn't have any shape or cohesian and the whole team suffers as a result. On the flanks Colm Heffernan was very disappointing, offering little and it was no surprise to see him subbed. Stephen O'Flynn started on the left but switched back up front early enough with Foley pulling back. Foley worked very hard throughout and had a good game, making an impact and showing for everything. O'Flynn took his goal excellently and looked interested throughout while Derek McCarthy ran his socks off and showed some nice touches but never got that small piece of luck that would have made a difference. Conor Molan came on as a sub and did alright as well.
Overall we were wretched for the first half-hour, abysmal in fact but after conceding the second goal we raised our game somewhat and deserved a draw out of it. We're making a habit of conceding early goals and leaving ouirselves with too much to do though.
Ultimately, because of the Waterford game last night's result was never really that important and it showed in the performance. Athlone on Thursday is the weeks big game and we should be well up for that one.
We've lost our trophy though... :(
