Kilkenny manager Derek Lyng happy with impact of new players in senior squad

The Kilkenny hurlers made an understated beginning to their Allianz Division 1A League campaign when running out 0-20 to 0-16 winners over Offaly on Sunday. 

The Cats now enjoy a bye before they face Limerick in the Gaelic Grounds on Sunday week, but manager Derek Lyng is confident he will learn a lot about his players over the next few games with three away ties still to come. - FULL INTERVIEW BELOW

“We are going to find out a huge amount about our players over the next few weeks and while it will be competitive, we want to stay up so we’re happy to get up and running with two points on the board.

“We’ll train through the next two weeks and we might get a game too but it’s a great test for us and we look forward to it.”

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Kilkenny had wides in the double figures and failed to find the net, two areas where improvement is needed.

When you don’t take your chances, you are keeping the opposition in the game but it’s still only the first game and generally our efficiency would be good but what we did today won’t win a lot of games,” the manager said.

“Overall we are just happy with the win and the effort and attitude from all the players and we know there’s areas to improve as well.”

The Cats welcomed a number of new faces into the fold and the manager was pleased with their first outing at this level of hurling.

“I thought all the new lads did well and obviously David (Barcoe) is still very young and playing colleges hurling so we are mindful of the minutes that he is playing.

“Cathal Beirne, Rory Garrett and Luke Connellan are others that went well so we are happy with them at the moment,” the Urlingford man finished.

FULL DEREK LYNG INTERVIEW BELOW: