Christy O'Connor Talking Points: Kilkenny suffer fifth biggest defeat in their history

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BIG DEFEAT: Derek Lyng during the Allianz Hurling League Division 1A match between Galway and Kilkenny at Pearse Stadium. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile.

When Derek Lyng spoke to Damien O’Meara of RTÉ after Saturday night’s dismal performance against Galway, the Kilkenny manager was visibly uncomfortable and frustrated in the moment, but Lyng was still big enough to stand in front of the live TV cameras and own the responsibility for such an embarrassing showing.

Lyng has always been such an admirable and honourable character that you wouldn’t expect anything less. Despite playing on a team decorated with All-Stars and Hall-of-Fame players, Lyng was still one of Brian Cody’s most trusted lieutenants and warriors and one of the most respected players of that Kilkenny halcyon era.