Kilkenny 2-15
Waterford 0-16
BRIAN CODY’S KILKENNY are finally off the mark in Division 1A of the Allianz National Hurling League after the reigning League and All-Ireland champions beat Waterford by five points at Nowlan Park this afternoon.
And the visiting Déise were the architects of their own downfall to a large extent as defensive mistakes cost them dearly.
Waterford lost for the first time in the League this season but at half-time, they were full value for a 0-11 to 1-6 lead.
But the goal they conceded, on the half hour mark, was avoidable as Stephen O’Keeffe’s short puck-out was picked off by Ger Aylward 40 metres from goal.
The Glenmore forward advanced on goal and powered his shot past O’Keeffe for a goal that Kilkenny badly needed.
It levelled the tie at that point – 1-4 to 0-7 – but Waterford were the better side in the opening half and Michael Ryan’s charges recovered to lead by two points at the break.
The pendulum swung both ways in the second half as Kilkenny opened with three successive points to lead again.
Waterford, playing into the breeze and rain now, responded with four unanswered points, all scored by Pauric Mahony, but Kilkenny looked more threatening close to goal.
Aylward spurned a decent goal chance in the 42nd minute and Colin Fennelly hit the side-netting seven minutes later when well placed.
With less than twenty minutes remaining, Waterford led by 0-15 to 1-9 but Kilkenny opened up with 1-5 without reply to make the game safe.
Matthew Ruth’s goal with six minutes remaining was the decisive score as the James Stephens man pounced from close range after O’Keeffe, who scored a long-range free in the first half, failed to hold Paddy Hogan’s long delivery into the Waterford goalmouth.
Maurice Shanahan and Eoin Larkin, Kilkenny’s leading marksman, traded late scores as the hosts held on comfortably for a much-needed win in front of 6887 spectators.
Cody will gladly take the win and move on but still without a host of leading names, Kilkenny look unusually vulnerable. Distribution into the forward line left a lot to be desired and the Cats also registered 13 wides on the day.
Scorers for Kilkenny: Eoin Larkin 0-6 (5f), Ger Aylward & Matthew Ruth 1-1 each, Aidan Fogarty 0-3, Richie Hogan 0-2, Lester Ryan & Colin Fennelly 0-1 each.Scorers for Waterford: Pauric Mahony 0-6 (5f), Jake Dillon 0-3 (1 sl), Shane O’Sullivan 0-2, Stephen O’Keeffe (f), Kevin Moran, Brian O’Halloran, Shane Walsh & Maurice Shanahan 0-1 each.
KILKENNY: Eoin Murphy (Glenmore); Paul Murphy (Danesfort), JJ Delaney (Fenians), Jackie Tyrrell (James Stephens); Tommy Walsh (Tullaroan), Brian Hogan (O’Loughlin Gaels), Kieran Joyce (Rower-Inistioge); Lester Ryan (Clara), Paddy Hogan (Danesfort); Richie Hogan (Danesfort), Mark Bergin (O’Loughlin Gaels), Eoin Larkin (James Stephens); Ger Aylward (Glenmore), Colin Fennelly (Ballyhale Shamrocks), Aidan Fogarty (Emeralds).
Subs: Padraig Walsh (Tullaroan) for Tyrrell (24), Matthew Ruth (James Stephens) for Bergin (h.t.), Willie Phelan (Dunnamaggin) for Murphy (46).
WATERFORD: Stephen O’Keeffe (Ballygunner); Shane Fives (Carrigtwohill), Liam Lawlor (Fourmilewater), Stephen Daniels (De La Salle); Jamie Nagle (Dungarvan), Michael Walsh (Stradbally), Kevin Moran (De La Salle); Shane O’Sullivan (Ballygunner), Paudie Prendergast (Lismore); Brian O’Halloran (Clashmore/Kinsalebeg), Seamus Prendergast (Ardmore), Jake Dillon (De La Salle); Brian O’Sullivan (Ballygunner), Shane Walsh (Fourmilewater), Pauric Mahony (Ballygunner).
Subs: Jamie Barron (Fourmilewater) for B O’Sullivan (46), Maurice Shanahan (Lismore) for S Walsh (55), Ray Barry (Lismore) for Moran (65).
Referee: James McGrath (Westmeath).
I think Ger Aylward did very well today! Scored 1-1 and was one of kilkennys better forwards!
Only for the injuries Kilkenny would have won by more against a near full strength Waterford team.
Kilkenny were very poor today but Waterford’s very young full forward line wasn’t able to punish them. Some of the young lads further out look very promising. The ref was overly picky & gave some questionable frees against both teams. KK have a lot of work to do if they are going to retail Liam Mc.
I don’t think Kilkenny will be too worried considering the injury list they have that continues to grow and now includes, David Herity, Paul Murphy, Jackie Tyrrell, Michael Rice, Michael Fennelly, Cillian Buckley, Richie Power, TJ Reid, Henry Shefflin, Walter Walsh. That’s 9 of the team that started the All Ireland replay. I don’t think many teams could absorb those losses and still be competitive in the League.
Steve.. Ye have been preaching about how yere second team used often beat yere first team in training over the years so cut out the bull# about missing players. All teams are without players this time of year especially .
I don’t think anybody from Kilkenny used to preach that. I think that was all media driven rubbish. If anyone actually believed that they would want their head examined. As they say “paper never refuses ink”.
People in Kilkenny appreciate the brilliant team we have had for the past 13 years but we have only ever had around 19 to 20 top class players at any one time and the rest would not make any top county starting 15 but could do a job for the next tier at best.
both KK corner backs off injured today to add to their long list , serious challenge for them to win in Ennis next week to keep alive
U can’t judge much In league! Tipp had good win today but wouldn’t read to much into it
Steve, Agreed KK were missing 9 of last years championship team….Waterford were without 8 of last years team. The fact is both teams had their best available teams out and the Deise goalie gifted ye 2 goals
That 8 includes players that they are NOT going to have for various reasons so have to just move on whereas Kilkenny are missing players who are all due to return. Sure Kilkenny would be missing more if retired players and all were to be included.
Yea Waterford could have won or Kilkenny could have won by more. That’s the way it goes. We gifted goals to both Galway and Tipp but that doesn’t change the final score and you have to accept the result. Goalkeeping errors are part of the game.
Only Mullane retired, Kearney, Connors, D o Sullivan, p mahoney, molumphy, Foley, Kelly, g o brien were in available through injury…….By the way Paul Murphy and Jackie tyrrell started today in case you did not notice
I did notice that yea but a lad going off in a game makes a big difference to that game.
Are you from Waterford? Do you think all the missing players would be on the starting 15 in the championship?
I thought Mulumphy said he was unavailable for the year and one or two of those mentioned are gone travelling for the year??
Only 4 of those mentioned started the last championship match for Waterford and one is retired, one is unavailable because of work commitments, one is gone away for the year and one is nearly 40. Waterford need to find new players during the league as I don’t think they can continue to rely on the likes of Kelly and Browne, both are passed their best.
“Delivery in to the forward line left a lot to be desired”.. Wrong – delivery was excellent and constant. KK forwards were woefully weak and not contesting at all. At one point hogan was outnumbered 5-1. That’s what happens when you put children like Aylward in the team.
Ok, what has Ger Alyward done to you? Strange comment considering he was one of Kilkennys best players on his full debut. I’m thinking its personal because not many people outside of Kilkenny would even know of him.
I believe Kilkenny will still win all ireland, but they are definatly not the same team as a few years ago, they have gone back abit since 2009/2010 when they were at the peak, Also I can see Clare doing really well this year
great to see Clare back threatening the “big guns”
Well done to the glenmore men on the KK team
I’m from Kilkenny and will easily admit when they’re not playing 100%. They could have played better. Give over about injuries etc. They won simple as.. what dp ye want Kilkenny 30-100 Waterford 0-0 not going to happen.
Yes that score would suit me.