Lyng satisfied with big performance against Wexford

The stakes were very high with a lot on the line on Sunday but when everything was said and done, Kilkenny got back on a familiar road.

The Cats will return to Croke Park on Saturday week for another Leinster Final and Derek Lyng was happy at how his side performed against Wexford.

“We’re very happy with the win as it was a really tough high quality game and Wexford really came at us in the first half and were five or six points up at one stage.

“I thought we regrouped very well and I was happy enough going in at half-time after getting a few scores back.

“Our second half display was really strong and our defence did really well, we probably made life hard for ourselves with a few relatively easy wides but there’s huge character in that dressing room and I thought the way they went at it in that second half was just testament to that.

“The pressure was on over the last few weeks and we knew we had to perform in these games so we have to be happy with that ahead of another huge battle in two weeks.”

While Cian Byrne and Conor McDonald netted goals for the visitors, the Kilkenny defence played a huge role in the one point win.

“Lee Chin still caused us a lot of trouble and along with Conor McDonald, we knew that they had top class forwards so the defending was more of a collective really.

“As a result the midfield and half-forward line worked extremely hard to cut down the space and we needed that as it wasn’t on any one player and it was a real team performance so we’re very happy with that,” Lyng added.

Kilkenny finished off the round-robin with three wins and two draws but the manager is still eyeing parts of the game they need to improve on.

“We know we need to keep improving and at spells in some of the games we have been really good while at other times we’ve not been as good so we need to find a little more consistency over the 70 minutes but you have to remember that we are playing a top class team today and we were never going to stroll away from them or anything.

“We knew there was only going to be a score or two between the sides at the end as that’s the way it has been for the last few years and I just think that the way we worked the game out in the last few minutes was really pleasing.

“We still have a bit of work to do but for now I’m pretty satisfied.”

Kilkenny mixed up their game well and Lyng is happy at how the players are adapting on the field.

“When you play at home, there’s sometimes a bit of pressure to get the ball in as quick as possible but sometimes you just can’t do that and with the players we have they are well capable of playing what is in front of them.

“We want fellas than can make decisions on the pitch and we work hard on that and we got that balance just about right on this occasion.

“It’s in the heat of the battle where it’s important and the lads can make decisions quickly themselves,” the Kilkenny boss continued.

What of a Leinster Final with Dublin in Croke Park on Saturday week?

“When we played Dublin in Parnell Park we had to go right to the end to get over the line so I’m not surprised that they’ve come through and it will be a massive game for us and a big test.

“They’ve got good hurlers and massive pace but we are delighted to be there and we’ll have a few weeks to get ready for that.”