the relative success of the previous season. The team were beaten by 4-12 to 1-16 in opening game of the championship by Clare. The newly structured qualifier system pitted Limerick against Offaly in a must-win game. Limerick, however, were out of sorts as they suffered a surprising 3-19 to 0-18 defeat and were dumped out of the championship. Following this defeat the management team's term in charge ended and, while there was some speculation that Kirby would succeed Richie Bennis as manager, the position went to Justin McCarthy instead. Patrickswell In December 2008 Kirby was appointed manager of the Patrickswell senior hurling team. Career statistics References 1967 births Living people Patrickswell hurlers Limerick inter-county hurlers Munster inter-provincial hurlers Hurling managers Hurling selectors