DEREK LYNG HAS been ratified as the new Kilkenny senior hurling manager this evening on a three-year term.

Derek Lyng, pictured during last year's U20 hurling championship. Evan Treacy / INPHO Evan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

The appointment comes 12 days after Brian Cody had called time on his legendary reign as Kilkenny hurling boss that yielded 11 All-Ireland senior hurling final wins.

Lyng’s selectors and backroom team will be confirmed later with the news announced in a Kilkenny GAA statement that he was ratified at tonight’s county board meeting.

A regular midfielder as a player during Cody’s time in charge, Lyng won six All-Ireland senior medals before he retired in late 2010 having battled a hip injury. The Emeralds clubman was an All-Star winner in 2002 and 2003, while he was part of nine Leinster senior hurling triumphs with Kilkenny.

Derek Lyng celebrates Kilkenny's 2006 All-Ireland final win. Lorraine O'Sullivan / INPHO Lorraine O'Sullivan / INPHO / INPHO

He served as a selector for Kilkenny alongside Cody between 2014 and 2019, part of the management team for the All-Ireland senior title wins in 2014 and 2015. Earlier this summer Lyng was the manager as Kilkenny claimed glory in the All-Ireland U20 hurling final by a point against Limerick in Semple Stadium.

Lyng’s new role creates a vacancy at U20 level that the Kilkenny county board will now begin the process of filling. They also announced tonight that Niall Bergin has been ratified as the county’s new U17 manager.

Derek Lyng (left) celebrating Kilkenny's 2015 All-Ireland final win over Galway. Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!