Kilkenny could look to make changes following their unexpected early championship exit, according to RT\u00c9 hurling analyst Shane McGrath.<\/p>\n
The Cats were eliminated from Leinster for the first time since the introduction of the round-robin group stage following their seven-point defeat to Dublin<\/a>, coupled with Offaly’s win over Kildare.<\/p>\n Having taken over from Brian Cody at the end of 2022, Lyng has guided Kilkenny to three successive Leinster titles, reaching the All-Ireland final in 2023, where they were overwhelmed by Limerick in the second half.<\/p>\n His fourth year has ended in disappointment, with the Emerald\u2019s clubman speaking emotionally after the loss at Parnell Park<\/a>.<\/p>\n “It’s not a sacrifice for me,” he said. “It’s a sacrifice for my family. I’ve loved it. We’ve had a couple of very good years. We’re very close to it. Like I said, I knew this year was going to be a challenge.<\/p>\n “But Kilkenny will be back. We’ll win All-Irelands again. It’s not going to be this year, unfortunately, but we have to move on now and that’s it.”<\/p>\n Derek Lyng was dejected on a day Kilkenny hit a huge low by exiting the championship in late May.<\/p>\n “The reality is we haven’t been good enough this year. Kilkenny will be back.” pic.twitter.com\/mDWap4RhZq<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) May 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n With Lyng’s future uncertain, the likes of Henry Shefflin and Brian Dowling have been touted as potential successors.<\/p>\n Shefflin, currently in charge of the Kilkenny Under-20s, has senior inter-county experience from his three-year stint with Galway, while he also guided Ballyhale Shamrocks to All-Ireland club glory in 2019.<\/p>\n Dowling, a two-time All-Ireland winner with the Cats as a player, began his inter-county coaching career with the Cats\u2019 camogie side, delivering the O\u2019Duffy Cup twice during his time in charge.<\/p>\n Since taking over Kildare at the tail end of 2023 he has laid the foundations for serious improvement, with the Lilywhites winning the Joe McDonagh Cup last year and qualifying for the Leinster championship, a campaign that ended with five defeats from five.<\/p>\n \n Former Tipperary player McGrath feels changes are afoot in Kilkenny following their shock exit.<\/p>\n “I think there will be changes in the Kilkenny management team,” he told the RT\u00c9 GAA podcast. “I don\u2019t know will it be Henry Shefflin? Has Brian Dowling done enough now to get a shot at it?<\/p>\n “It will be an interesting few months ahead. Derek Lyng is still the manager, and could still be the manager, but that\u2019s just my opinion on it.<\/p>\n “I thought the emotion in his interview (after Dublin defeat) was very interesting to listen to.”<\/p>\n Listen to the RT\u00c9 GAA Podcast on the RT\u00c9 Radio Player, Apple Podcasts<\/a>, Spotify<\/a>, or wherever you get your podcasts, and email us at sportpodcasts@rte.ie<\/p>\n Watch The Saturday Game from 9.50pm and The Sunday Game from 9.30pm on RT\u00c92 and RT\u00c9 Player. Follow a live blog on all matches on the RT\u00c9 News app and on rte.ie\/sport<\/p>\n