Derek Lyng breaks silence on tough week as Kilkenny claim first Leinster win
Kilkenny recorded their first win of this year's Leinster Championship on Saturday evening
Kilkenny manager Derek Lyng has hailed the influence of the home support following their first win of the Leinster Championship on Saturday evening at home to Wexford.
Played in front of an approximate attendance of 13,500 people, it was a win that was hallmarked by TJ Reid's tally of 1-8, seeing him overtake Cork's Patrick Horgan as the all-time Senior Championship top-scorer with a total of 41-657.
Overall, the victory's importance can't be overstated in more ways than one, securing a crucial two points for the Cats and putting to bed the disappointment of their 14-point loss to Galway a week ago.
"We had to turn it around pretty quick and put it in the rear view mirror," Lyng told the media after the match.
"It was just about putting our energy to this weekend, that's all we could do, and thankfully we got the result today. It's important for us, we needed that win, but we have to get ready for two weeks (against Offaly)," he added.
"We have very loyal supporters here in Kilkenny. Obviously, we know that expectations and standards are quite high and there would have been a lot of disappointment last week, but it was massive to hear and see the huge crowd there tonight, and that means an awful lot to players. They're a fantastic group and they're giving everything to it. It's about putting in performances now."