Kilkenny boss Derek Lyng in positive mood ahead of Dublin visit
The Cats will be looking to maintain their flying start in Nowlan Park this afternoon
Kilkenny manager Derek Lyng cut a relaxed figure after his side’s big win last weekend and while he knows that they are always looking ahead, he is still relatively happy with how the opening few games have gone.
“I’m just happy with the win overall as we came to get two points on the board and we’ve done that now so we are pleased,” he said.
“I’m pleased with things so far as we have three wins out of three but the next few weeks will tell a lot more with big tests coming up.
“First up is Dublin and that will be a real test and we’ll see where we are after that but recovery starts now and we look ahead to the next one.”
Despite the final winning margin, Lyng and his management team knew the threat that Offaly possessed and a big first half where they put 2-16 on the board certainly helped the final result.
“Offaly have some very good players and I think they were a little unlucky against both Dublin and Galway at times and they performed very well in the league so we knew what they could do.
“We prepared very well for it and it was important that we got a couple of big scores in the first half and that gave us a bit of a cushion.
“We are pleased overall but it was far from perfect either as we conceded 2-16 so there’s plenty for us to go after this week,” the manager added.
The return of TJ Reid was a big positive to the Emeralds man and the former All-Ireland winning player and selector heaped praise on how the Shamrocks man looks after himself both on and off the field.
“TJ (Reid) looked sharp and he’s worked very hard to get back and the medical team have worked very hard with him as well and it’s just the way it is at the minute with lads coming in and out but he did that well and that will stand to him.
“It’s testament how he minds himself and he ensures he gets his body in really good condition and the way it is now there’s a huge awareness around diet and how you can mind yourself.
“TJ is well educated on that as he works in the industry and it is standing to him.
“He’s moving very well and today was good but we’ll see how he goes next weekend as it will be a good test for him.”
Adrian Mullen was another key player to return to the fold and he showed when nabbing a second half goal how important a player he is to Kilkenny.
“Adrian (Mullen) has been very unfortunate as he was out for a good while and we had to rest him but he’s back now and he’s going to need a little bit of time as well and he’s not going to hit the ground running.
“He’s missed a lot but it was great to get him on before half-time and we got a bit of hurling into him which should stand to him and he’ll be working hard during the week,” Lyng continued.
The casualty list is still a sizeable one though and it was added to with Harry Shine going off in the first half and while Eoin Cody, Shane Murphy and Richie Reid are all still absent, the prognosis on their return looks to be on the bright side.
“We don’t really know with Eoin Cody as it’s a hamstring knock so we can only take it day by day really and you have to be careful so we’ll keep an eye on him during the week.
“The rest of the lads are progressing well and I’ll just have to see with Harry Shine as we are not too sure yet but he looked to take a bit of a knock to the shoulder but thankfully none of the others will be out long-term or anything and we’ll hopefully see them in the next week or so.”