Derek Lyng was one of Brian Cody’s most influential on-field generals during an inter county career that saw him win six All Ireland medals under the nine times All Ireland-winning boss.  

The Emeralds player knows many of those still involved having only retired from the panel in 2011 and says despite the disappointments of the last few weeks and the injuries that have threatened to derail another three-in-a-row they are more than capable of beating rivals Tipperary this Saturday night.  

Lyng met me on the border of Kilkenny and Tipperary last night in Urlingford and as we gazed over the motorway onto the Premier county we discussed Saturdays match and how Kilkenny can overcome the challenges of missing some of the best players to ever pick up a hurley.