Derek Lyng not getting carried away after downing defending champions Clare

Derek Lyng says he's not getting carried away after his Kilkenny side beat defending Allianz League and All-Ireland champions Clare in their league opener at Ennis.

The Cats were seven behind at one stage in the first half but they gradually reeled in the Banner in the first competitive game of the new season.

Even down the stretch, Clare were two ahead but Kilkenny hit five of the last six scores to take the points.

"It took us a long time to get going," Lyng said on RTÉ's Sunday Sport afterwards.

"Clare were very sharp at the start. We were seven down at one stage but today was a day for attitude and our work rate was really good all over.

"We kept plugging. Clare got four in a row in the second half and looked to have pulled away from us again but it was a really great, battling performance.

"That's all we're looking for at this time of the year."

The sides had clashed in last year's All-Ireland semi-final, with Clare finally getting the better of the Leinster men having come out the wrong side at the same stage in the previous two years.

The most recent league meetings at Ennis in 2014, 2019, 2021 and 2024 had also gone the way of the Banner, making the victory all the more satisfying for Lyng.

"We don't win down here too many times so it's a good start for us," he continued.

"The league is very important for us, always has been. We're looking to build a really healthy, competitive squad by the time championship comes around.

"It's great to be going home with a couple of points on the board. They're the All-Ireland champions. At the same time we'll take the two points but we're not going to get carried away. We know Clare were down an awful lot today."

Neither side had a full strength squad to choose from with TJ Reid and Eoin