Timmy Houlihan Joins Kilkenny Hurling Team Ahead of 2026 Season

Former Limerick goalkeeping coach Timmy Houlihan has accepted a coaching position with the Kilkenny senior hurling team as it prepares for the 2026 season. According to the Irish Independent, Houlihan will join Derek Lyng‘s management team, which has also recently welcomed former Kilkenny player Eddie Brennan and ex-Dublin hurler Niall Corcoran.

Kilkenny has a rich history in hurling, last claiming the prestigious All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship title in 2015. In recent years, the team has shown strong performance, securing their sixth consecutive Leinster Senior Hurling Championship this year. The addition of Houlihan is expected to further bolster the team’s coaching line-up.

Timmy Houlihan brings invaluable experience to Kilkenny, having served as a goalkeeping coach under John Kiely for the Limerick team from 2018 to 2024. During his tenure, Limerick achieved remarkable success, capturing five All-Ireland hurling championships and six Munster titles. His work with goalkeeper Nickie Quaid over six seasons has positioned him as a key figure in the development of talent in the sport.

Having stepped away from Limerick at the start of the 2024 season due to a back injury, Houlihan has remained active in the hurling community. He was part of the management team for the Adare club this year, alongside Mark Foley. Unfortunately, Adare faced defeat against Ballybrown in the quarter-finals of the Limerick Senior Hurling Championship.

The addition of Houlihan to Kilkenny’s backroom staff signals a proactive approach as the team aims to reclaim its status at the top of hurling in the coming season. The combination of experienced coaches and talented players will be crucial as Kilkenny seeks to build on its recent successes and return to championship glory.