Kilkenny manager Derek Lyng reacts to league semi-final win over Limerick
As league wins go, this was certainly up there as one of Kilkenny’s most pleasing in recent seasons.
The Cats haven’t won the league title since 2021 (shared with Galway) or on their own since 2018 and they still have a sizeable feat to win another one against Clare but beating the defending All-Ireland champions in a knockout tie would have felt like winning some silverware in many ways.
Kilkenny boss Derek Lyng was pleased with the win, but he still has the bigger picture of the upcoming championship in mind.
“Win, lose or draw today, we still have four or five weeks to championship so there’s a long way to go and we’re going to have to keep improving. But there are a lot of positives to take out of it,” he said.
“I thought we responded very well to the start Limerick got. Lads could easily drop the heads pretty quickly. They’re the kind of team that when they get a start on you like that and they get into the groove, they can punish you.
“But I thought we hurled well, and we hurled our way back into the game. Eoin’s (Cody) goal was very important, and it gave the whole team a bit of a boost. There was good energy there after that.
“When Eoin got sent off in the second half, I thought we managed it pretty well for a while. I know we have a lot of improving still to do but I think we’re progressing pretty well so I’m happy with that.”
The Kilkenny victory was affirmed by the three first half goals as the Cats caused a normally water-tight Limerick rearguard any amount of problems.
“Lads were working hard and getting the ball in fast. Probably in the last couple of months as pitches and conditions get better, you do get more goal opportunities.
“We know we have the players, but I thought we created chances today, which was a positive. It’s just important that we keep improving on that, keep creating chances and hopefully start taking a few more as the year goes on,” Lyng added.
There will be much bigger games to come in the next few weeks but this felt like an important result as Kilkenny got the better of Limerick for the first time in many years.
“We’ll take a lot from it and I think it’s important that we take the positives from it. At the same time, we know that we’re not near where we need to be. That’s important. We need to keep working hard and that’s good -- that’s the challenge ahead of us.”
Next up is Clare in the league final on Saturday week and with national silverware only 70 minutes away, it’s a game Kilkenny will be going all out to win.
“We’ll be going for it anyway. It’ll be a great test for us to get. We’ll look forward to it now.
“It’s in two weeks’ time so we have a bit of preparation for it, which is good. Championship is around the corner but, like today, whatever happens it’s about getting ready for championship. It’s a good place to be and another opportunity for us.”
The league final is just two weeks before the Leinster opener with Antrim and the Cats will hope their injury list clears up by then.
“Conor [Heary] just had a setback on Thursday, which was disappointing. The two Mikeys (Butler and Carey) had setbacks against Waterford but nothing that another two or three weeks won’t sort out, but there’s nothing too serious, which is important. “We have lads coming back in the next three or four weeks as well.”