Derek Lyng felt the impact of Kilkenny's subs bench was a decisive factor in their All-Ireland SHC semi-final win over Clare.

Cian Kenny and Padraig Walsh both got on the scoresheet after being introduced, while Richie Hogan, Cillian Buckley and Walter Walsh also made telling contributions on a day when Lyng stepped out of Brian Cody's shadow.

"It was tight, again. We knew it was going to be," the Cats boss told RTÉ. 

"Clare came strong in the second half. It looked like we were under pressure. We made a few changes. That brought bit of composure on the pitch, we started to work the ball up the pitch, and worked our way back into the game.

"The reality is they are doing it in training week-in week-out and it isn't as if they've been brought on based on what they've done before. It's what they're doing at the moment. They're all contributing as a massive part of it.

"We have a really competitive squad. It's very hard to pick the XV. We have lads ready to come on. The effort we're asking the lads to put it, some lads will tire and go out of the game. That's natural.

"We bring on the subs, sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. Today they did. We're delighted, we know what is ahead (in the All-Ireland final against Limerick). It's a big, big challenge but we're delighted to be there."

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