LISTEN: Kilkenny manager hails three former team-mates after life-changing decisions

Kilkenny manager Derek Lyng during the Leinster GAA Hurling Senior Championship Round 3 match against Antrimat Corrigan Park in Belfast. Picture: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

placeholder image — Kilkenny manager Derek Lyng during the Leinster GAA Hurling Senior Championship Round 3 match against Antrimat Corrigan Park in Belfast. Picture: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Listen to the full interview with Derek Lyng on the Kilkenny People Sport Podcast

Kilkenny are one of seven counties that will compete in Division 1A this spring alongside Clare, Wexford, Galway, Cork, Limerick and Tipperary.

The journey begins today (Sunday) for Derek Lyng and his panel as they travel to Cusack Park in Ennis to face Clare at 2pm.

Three men who won't be involved are; Walter Walsh, Cillian Buckley and Conor Fogarty, whose absence according to the Kilkenny boss, will offer players 'other lads opportunities to step into those shoes.'

"They've been phenomenal, three massive characters," Lyng told the Kilkenny People Sport Podcast.

"They've left something there for the younger players to kind of grasp and aspire to. No doubt they're a loss but in terms of the squad and where we're at, it offers other lads opportunities to step into those shoes and that's what we need."

"No doubt three huge losses but they can't do it forever, they've been a credit to Kilkenny," he added.

Listen to Derek Lyng's full interview from (20:35):