Sizeable bench impact pleases Kilkenny boss

Anytime you score 5-30 is a good day and there weren’t many complaints from Kilkenny manager Derek Lyng after his side opened up the defence of their Leinster senior hurling title in some style.

The Cats were hugely fluent in attack and even though a couple of key players went off injured, the influence of Gearoid Dunne, Owen Wall and Billy Drennan was a significant one as they shared four goals between them in the second half.

“All of our subs had a good impact and we obviously had a few injuries that forced us into changes a little earlier than we would have hoped but I’m really pleased with how they performed and that’s what they are there for.

“We saw a number of them throughout the league and today showed the importance of it really as they came in and hit the ground running which was good to see.

“Owen Wall has huge pace and he’s been showing us what he’s about in the last coupe of weeks and he’s brought his club form into the inter-county setup so it was a positive step for him today and obviously he still has a lot to work on but he’s doing very well.”

It was the second year running that Kilkenny scored five goals against Antrim and Lyng was impressed with the ruthless aspect of his team’s performance.

“It’s always good to score goals and we know we are in for a stiffer challenge next week but we know that we need to be a threat up front and it was really good to see the way the lads played and the way they took their opportunities as well which was a positive,” the Kilkenny manager added.

Chief among the main performers was TJ Reid who once again stood out as he scored 1-5.

“TJ again showed his class today and he’d be hugely important to any team in the country.

“He’s doing really well and we just have to manage him and get minutes into his legs and thankfully he came through the game which is really positive.”

The big negative from Sunday’s game was the sight of Eoin Murphy, Eoin Cody and Adrian Mullen going off injured and Lyng was non-committal in the direct aftermath as to whether they’ll be available this weekend.

“There’s nothing too major hopefully. They’ll have to be assessed so we’ll know more later in the week. It was enough to take them out today - we’ll have to see how they are.”

There was better injury news with Tom Phelan, Mikey Carey and Mikey Butler all getting minutes after recent knocks.

“Tom (Phelan) has been gone for a while and we’ve had to mind him.

“His knee had been giving him trouble and it’s great to get the game under his belt today and hopefully he can keep going now.

“Mikie Butler and Mikey Carey both came through the game very well and they needed a game so thankfully they got through it.”

Next up is a repeat of last year’s Leinster final as the Cats travel west to meet Galway in Pearse Stadium.

“Salthill is always a difficult place to go and there’s only been a puck of a ball between us in the last few years and we know it will be a huge battle. It’s a great one for us though and one to look forward to certainly.

“The game will be nothing like it was today and the intensity will be a lot hotter and we have to expect that and it’s something we’ll have to bring to it as well.

“There was only a point between the teams in the Leinster Final last year and it was a draw here in Nowlan Park so we know there’s nothing between the sides and it will be a big one for us.”