Paddy Deegan on critics: 'Don't take criticism from people you wouldn't ask for advice from'

Criticism after the League loss against Galway rained down from a number of quarters  

Paddy Deegan (Kilkenny) at St. Vincent’s GAA club in Dublin at Centra’s launch of the 2026 Senior Hurling Championship and the Centra GAA Sharpshooter Competition. Winners will receive a €1,000 prize for their local GAA club plus the opportunity for their team to play at the 2026 Hurling for Cancer Research Charity Match later this year. Pic: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Paddy Deegan says getting off to a good start in the Leinster SHC, as opposed to proving a point to Galway, is the most important thing for Kilkenny this weekend.

The Cats shipped an 18-point hammering when they travelled to Salthill last month in the National League, a trip they will undertake again for tomorrow's Championship opener.

Criticism after the League loss came from a number of quarters including former captain Andy Comerford who said the lethargic display was 'quite alarming'.

"No commitment, zero commitment there from the word go," blasted Comerford who said he was 'disgusted' with the performance and some of the tactics.

Paddy Deegan lined out in that game and is expected to start again.

"Regardless of who it is, getting off to a good start is the main objective," said Deegan when asked if there's increased motivation. "We'll focus on this game and then it's going to be game by game after that."

But Deegan acknowledged that the loss to Galway did 'sting', prompting the group to redouble their efforts and to draw with All-Ireland holders Tipperary in their last League game.

Regarding the criticism after losing to Galway, Deegan said he was happy to take it from manager Derek Lyng.

"The comments he made after the match, he was 100 percent correct. That (performance) should not happen. It is not good enough and we knew that as players. Derek was disappointed after the game but he knew what we needed to work on, and we did as well. That was the most important thing."

The criticism from elsewhere, Deegan wasn't so interested in.

"I always say don't take criticism from people you wouldn't ask for advice from," said the experienced half back. "And I think that's really, really important in situations like that because you have a lot of young lads in and around the squad.

"When criticism is coming from all angles it can be hard on younger lads particularly, who probably weren't exposed to it for the last number of years. It's just really important to kind of block it out as much as possible."

Kilkenny look set to be without Adrian Mullen again as he returns from double groin surgery, as well as surgery on his thumb. But Shamrocks clubmate TJ Reid returned for the Tipp game, firing 1-8, and will be expected to start again.

"He brings an incredible amount of energy to the whole thing," said Deegan of 38-year-old Reid, whom he feels is in the shape of his career.

"He's hurling at a standard, even with his club last year, he's hurling at a standard that it's hard to believe. A lot of people are probably saying he's slowing down because of his age.

"But I actually think he's getting faster, to be honest, the way he's moving. He just looks after himself incredibly well."

Lyng's Championship lineup still isn't necessarily nailed down. And it certainly doesn't pick itself with the Cats using 34 players in the League and experimenting in core positions.

"I wouldn't say he has a nailed on 15," agreed Deegan. "And he always says that - the team is always open."