''Team’s attitude the big plus from day'' - Kilkenny Manager Derek Lyng

It was a day when the idea of playing clean, fast hurling went out the window, but for Kilkenny manager Derek Lyng the attitude of his team more than made up for it.

“It’s difficult to play in conditions like that,” he said in the aftermath of Saturday’s win over Waterford, the wind and rain howling outside the Walsh Park dressing-rooms. “You could see both teams were trying to play out there, but even trying to get a clean strike on the ball was a real challenge out there.

“Today was about showing up and grinding out - that’s all you can do. Lads were trying to do the right things but while it didn’t come off they kept at it.”

The elements may have made it a difficult day, but the players didn’t let it get to them.

“In the first half we would have been disappointed with the goals we conceded, but as the game went on we battled well and we finished it well. We kept going, which was really important.

“Those goals were sucker punches, especially as we’d made a good start with the first few scores, but I was happy with how we finished the first half,” he added. “We played well in the second half and went at it with a bit of purpose and a bit of intent, which was pleasing.

“The most important thing was that we really went at Waterford,” he continued. “It wasn’t pretty; conditions were tough for everyone out there. We ground out the win, which was vital for us.”

Waterford’s attacking style also gave Kilkenny some headaches in the first half, causing problems as they moved the ball around, but the Cats found ways to nullify the Deise threat.

“They’re very good at what they do, so there was a lot of chasing, but you have to be disciplined in what you do,” he said. “You couldn’t read a lot from that game, but we’re happy with the effort we put in.”

Kilkenny have used their panel with great effect during the group stages of the League, with players getting their chance to stake claims in the side. Coming to Waterford to take on a tough opponent was another challenge, not least with the conditions, but Lyng was impressed with how they fared.

“I was delighted with the character the players showed out there,” he said. “It’s never an easy place to come and get a result and with the conditions as they were today it only made it tougher. At times like that you’re looking at a player’s character, how they respond when things aren’t going their way, but what was most pleasing today was that while everyone made mistakes they kept coming back for more.

“That takes guts for a player to do that, so we want loads of that,” he said. “We’re going to make loads of mistakes, but once the effort is there we’ll be happy.”

The only downside was the injuries suffered by Mikey Butler and Mikey Carey.

“It looks like Mikey Butler picked up an ankle knock, and while it doesn’t look too serious we’ll know more in the coming days,” he said. “Mikey Carey also picked up a hamstring injury, but again we’ll know more during the week.”

And rather than a down week, it will be all systems go for a semi-final showdown with Limerick - exactly where Lyng wants his side to be.

“It’s all about getting ready for the championship, but the League semi-final will help bring us on,” he said. “We’ll get another look at players and the team. It’s where you want to be,” he finished. “The knockout stages is what we were aiming for, so now that’s another challenge.”