Derek Lyng

Derek Lyng (born 4 July 1978 in Urlingford, County Kilkenny) is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling with his local club called Emeralds and was a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team from 2001 to 2010.^[1]

Playing career

Club

Lyng plays his club hurling with his local club called the Emeralds in Urlingford. He has enjoyed some success with the club winning a junior county title in 2001.

Inter-county

Lyng made his senior debut with Kilkenny in 2001, however, it was not until 2002 when he established himself on the starting fifteen. That year he tasted his first major success when he won his first National Hurling League medal. Lyng subsequently claimed his first senior Leinster title before later lining out in his first All-Ireland final. Clare, who were defeated in the first-round of the Munster championship but had made it to the final via the newly introduced qualifier system, put up a good fight. A combined tally of 2-13 for both Henry Shefflin and D.J. Carey gave Kilkenny a seven-point victory and secured a first senior All-Ireland title for Lyng.^[2] He was later honoured with an All-Star award.

In 2003 Brennan captured a second National League title before later winning a second consecutive Leinster medal. Kilkenny later faced Cork in an exciting and close All-Ireland final. The Leinstermen never led by more than four-points and only secured victory with a late Martin Comerford goal. Lyng won his second All-Ireland medal that day and he was later pesented with a second All-Star award.^[3]

In 2004 Kilkenny were aiming for an unprecedented third All-Ireland victory in-a-row, however, the team was now under severe pressure from all quarters. For the first time in seven years Kilkenny failed in their bid to become Leinster champions as a last-gasp Wexford goal ended an almost unprecedented run of success in the provincial championship. Kilkenny took the scenic route via the qualifiers system, however, after a scare against Clare they still reached the All-Ireland final. Once again Cork provided the opposition on a gloomy and overcast day. The sides were level for much of the game, however, in the final twenty minutes Cork scored nine points without reply and secured the victory. Kilkenny ended the year with no silverware.

Kilkenny were back in form in 2005 with Lyng adding a third National League medal to his ever-growing collection. He later won a third Leinster title as ‘the Cats’ had a narrow win over reigning provincial champions Wexford. While a third successive All-Ireland showdown with Cork seemed extremely likely, Galway defeated Kilkenny in the All-Ireland semi-final in one of the game’s of the decade.

In 2006 Lyng captured a fourth National League medal in five years. He later won his fourth Leinster title before lining out in another All-Ireland final appearance. The game that everyone had predicted would happen in 2005 was now taking place as Cork squared up to Kilkenny for the third time in four years. The Leesiders were aiming for a third All-Ireland victory in-a-row, however, revenge was foremost in the minds of Kilkenny as it was Cork who denied their three-in-a-row bid in 2004. On the day Kilkenny were far too strong for Cork and Lyng played a huge role in capturing Kilkenny's 29th title and his own third All-Ireland medal.^[4]

In 2007 Lyng captured a fifth Leinster medal following another facile victory in the provincial final. Once again Kilkenny later qualified for the final where, surprisingly, Limerick provided the opposition. Kilkenny got off to a flying start with Eddie Brennan and Henry Shefflin scoring two goals within the first ten minutes. Unfortunately, Shefflin sustained an injury during the game and had to retire at half-time. Kilkenny hung onto this lead and went on to win the game, giving Lyng a fourth All-Ireland medal.^[5]

2008 saw Kilkenny launch an all-out attack in an attempt to capture a third All-Ireland title in-a-row. The team had an easy passage through the Leinster Championship, however, the opening half of the provincial final against Wexford gave ‘the Cats’ another minor scare. In the end Lyng collected his sixth Leinster medal after a 5-21 to 0-17 victory. This victory allowed Kilkenny to advance directly to the All-Ireland semi-final where arch-rivals Cork were the opponents. The game was an interesting encounter; however, Kilkenny claimed a 1-23 to 0-17 victory. The subsequent All-Ireland final saw Kilkenny take on Waterford. It was their first meeting in the championship decider since 1963. A classic game of hurling was expected by many, however, Kilkenny started stronger. Two goals by star forward Eddie Brennan after twenty minutes effectively killed the game, however, ‘the Cats’ ploughed on to record an enormous 3-30 to 1-13. It was Lyng's fifth All-Ireland medal.^[6] In November 2010, Lyng announced his retirement from inter-county hurling after nine years with the Cats.^[7]

Provincial

Lyng has also lined out with Leinster in the inter-provincial hurling competition. He won his first Railway Cup medla in 2002 as Leinster defeated Munster. Lyng added a second consecutive Railway Cup title to his collection in 2003 as his side defeated a Connacht team made up entirely of players from Galway. Lyng won a third Railway Cup title in 2006.

Honours

Kilkenny

• All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship:
  • Winner (6): 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
  • Runner-up (2): 2004, 2010
• Leinster Senior Hurling Championship:
  • Winner (8): 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
• National Hurling League:
  • Winner (4): 2003, 2005, 2006, 2009
  • Runner-up (1): 2007
• Walsh Cup:
  • Winner (4): 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009

Individual

• All-Stars: 2
  • 2002, 2003

References

Teams