Eddie Brennan | Joe Canning | Ollie Canning | DJ Carey | Eugene Cloonan
Martin Comerford | Lar Corbett | Brendan Cummins | Ronan Curran
Ger Farragher | James 'cha' Fitzpatrick | Damien Fitzhenry | Paul Flynn
John Gardiner | Niall Gilligan | Damian Hayes | Conal Keaney | Michael Kavanagh
Eoin Kennedy | Eoin Kelly | Eoin Kelly | Eoin Larkin | Derek Lyng
Fergus McMahon | Seanie McMahon | Johnny McIntosh | Andrew Mitchell
Stephen Molumpy | Pat Mulcahy | John Mullane | Sean Óg Ó Hailpin
Andrew O'Shaughnessy | Ben O'Connor | Seamus Prendergast
Keith Raymond | Eoin Quigley | Joe Rabbite | Keith Rossiter | Dan Shanahan
Henry Shefflin | James Skehill | Tommy Walsh | Brian Whelehan | James Young
Kilkenny midfielder Derek Lyng has won every honour in the game as part of the all-conquering Cats. The Emeralds club man from Urlingford, helped Brian Cody's men to the historic 3-in-a-row of All-Ireland titles this year, winning his 5th All-Ireland medal in the process. Derek made his debut in 2001 but became a regular starter in 2002 and has been there ever since. He has won 6 Leinster Championships, 4 National League medals and 2 All-Star Awards. Along with James 'Cha' Fitzpatrick, Lyng makes up the Kilkenny midfield, and whether fielding high balls, going forward in attack to chip in with a few points or helping out the defence, Lyng is a versatile player who is a handful for any midfielder.
Kilkenny enjoyed a brilliant year, what was the highlight for you?
Winning the All-Ireland and getting the 3-in-a-row was the highlight for me. There was pressure coming into the final because of the 3-in-a-row, so it was a big relief to do it, and we really clicked and performed well on the day. It was great for 17 guys to play to such a high standard on the biggest of days.
Who was the toughest team you faced?
Wexford really put it up to us in the Leinster final in the first half but we pulled away after that. Cork in the semi-final, we were touch and go for a while but we hurled extremely well to win that match.
Who was your toughest opponent?
I would have to say Cork's Tom Kenny.
Who are the players you admire?
Within Kilkenny, it would have to be Henry Shefflin and outside the county it would be Galway's Joe Canning, Tipperary's Eoin Kelly, and Waterford's Ken McGrath.
Who were your heroes growing up?
Kilkenny's Ger Henderson, Joe Hennessy and of course DJ Carey.
Do you play other sports?
I don't really have the time to, because when the inter-county season is over you are back with your club so you only have about a month or so off really. I would just play a bit of indoor soccer.
What is the most important skill?
Striking is probably the most important skill, but catching is important too as you have to be able to win the ball.
What advice would you give to young players?
Practise as much as you can - Henry Shefflin and DJ would always say that too. Go and practise with your friends and if you're on your own, just hit the ball against a wall. It's important to practise when you're young to make yourself a better hurler.
What are your hopes for 2009?
We will just start again - I'm hoping to keep my place on the team and from there, everyone wants to win the All-Ireland at the start of the season. But there won't be much talk of the 4-in-a-row.
Name: Derek Lyng
Age: 30
Team: Kilkenny
Debut: 2001 v Offaly
Position: Midfield
Honours:
5 All-Ireland Senior titles,
4 National Hurling League titles,
6 Leinster Senior titles,
3 Railway Cup titles,
1 Kilkenny Junior Hurling title,
2 All-Star Awards.
Club: Emeralds
Fav food: Indian
Fav band: Snow Patrol
Fav book: Paul McGrath Autobiography
Fav TV: Scrubs
Fav film: James Bond
Occupation: Medical Rep
CúlFACT:
Emeralds have 2 Kilkenny players on their team; Derek Lyng and Aidan Fogarty.
Lyng plays in midfield and Fogarty in attack for Kilkenny, but with the Club it’s Lyng in attack and Fogarty in midfield. |
