As Kilkenny gears up for the Allianz National Hurling League Round 4 clash with Clare, manager Derek Lyng finds himself in the spotlight after the Cats’ undefeated run.
Having secured victories against Cork and Offaly and a draw with Wexford, Kilkenny faced criticism for their first-half performance against Offaly in the last game, trailing by six points at halftime.
In response to the challenges faced during the Offaly matchLyng made tactical changes before halftime, a decision that attracted attention. Thomastown All Ireland winner Peter McDonald made way in midfield, which some called harsh. However, Lyng addressed the concerns with a call for patience, emphasizing the early stage of the season and the learning curve for his players.
He stated, “Everything is not going to be perfect at this time of the year, no matter what team you’re looking at. And I think we have to have a little bit of patience with us as well. A fella could be getting a start, it mightn’t go his way, but that doesn’t mean it’s the end of the road for him. The way it is now, teams are so well prepared for League, it’s not the way it was before, and I think we just have to have a little bit of patience. And you know what, some lads, it will go well for them in the future, and we have to be patient with them.”
With the upcoming clash against Clare on the horizon, Kilkenny looks to maintain their undefeated streak. The game is scheduled to kick off at 1:30 pm in Cusack Park, Ennis. Full match coverage will be provided by KCLR, with thanks to Laharts.
