Lester Ryan says he is honoured just to be involved with the Kilkenny seniors.

The Cats' midfield newcomer was in Croke Park yesterday to accept his award having been named as the best player in the 2013 national hurling league.

He was instrumental in the Noresiders' successful defence of the Division One crown but isn't taking anything for granted:

"I think being part of the panel in the first place is a huge honour," notes the Clara clubman in today's Irish Times.

"You know you're part of something big. And being on the panel and pushing everyone else in training, you know you're part of a set-up.

"But personal ambition would dictate that all players want to get on the team. So in that sense, you're trying to push for a place on the team. It's more enjoyable playing in Croke Park than being in the stands in Croke Park.

"The focus was on the club first and foremost at the start of the year as we were still playing. We played the [All-Ireland intermediate club] final at the start of February and it was only two weeks to the Galway match when I did go in to the Kilkenny panel.

"I didn't really have the head focused on combinations and permutations, and as regards who's in or out. It was just when the team was named on the Friday night, I was on it. That was the Galway match. From there on in, I just kept at it.

"Coming from having trained with Kilkenny, the standard is very high in training. Especially the training matches. After that it's about trying to get the most out of yourself for the matches and stay going for the 70 minutes.

"The hardest thing is getting used to going for a 60-minute match to a 70-minute match. You really feel those last ten minutes.

"But once you get used to it, it's about having your head right every time you go out and getting a performance. It's very intense. Every match is intense.

"It is intense, physical, fast. Your head has to be in it from the start or you're going to get blown out of the water." Tweet

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