Allianz Hurling League Division 1A: Waterford 0-14 Kilkenny 0-11

By Tomás McCarthy 

Despite striking 18 wides, champions Waterford battled to a four point success over 14-man Kilkenny in testing conditions at Walsh Park, ending a nine-game losing stretch against the Cats dating back to 2009.

The sides were level five times but the hosts broke free in the second half with three unanswered points. Shane Bennett and Jake Dillon clinched victory for the Déise, much to the delight of the home followers.

With the ground heavy underfoot, Waterford enjoyed a two-point half-time advantage (0-8 to 0-6).

A fired up home side rushed three points ahead through Patrick Curran, Maurice Shanahan and Jake Dillon.

Kilkenny restored parity at four points all after 15 minutes with TJ Reid on target three times. Waterford accumulated six wides over the first quarter.

The Cats nudged ahead for the first time as Colin Fennelly split the posts. Waterford struck the last three points of the opening half from Colin Dunford, Shane Bennett and Patrick Curran, Bennett’s fierce strike whizzing over the crossbar after he cut in off the right wing.

The wides tally soared to eleven by the interval for Derek McGrath’s charges. Richie Hogan got one back for Kilkenny within two minutes of the restart before Reid levelled for the fifth occasion from a long range free.

Maurice Shanahan gathered an Austin Gleeson sideline to regain Waterford’s lead and Curran and Shanahan established a 0-11 to 0-8 cushion by the close of the third quarter.

Waterford maintained that edge until the finish as Shane Bennett sent over two placed balls and Jake Dillon put the icing on the cake in added time.

Kilkenny ended with 14 men after Colin Fennelly received a second yellow. Stephen O’Keeffe swatted away Pádraig Walsh’s strike at the death to protect a hard-earned clean sheet.

The victors limited Kilkenny to four points from open play with Barry Coughlan, Noel Connors and Darragh Fives in mean form at the back.

Colin Dunford, Austin Gleeson, Shane Bennett, Patrick Curran and Jake Dillon all had their moments up front.

The holders travel to Cork next Saturday while Kilkenny host Tipperary on Sunday afternoon.

*** 

Scorers for Waterford: P Curran (1f), M Shanahan (1f), S Bennett (2fs) 0-3 each, J Dillon, C Dunford 0-2 each, A Gleeson 0-1.

Scorers for Kilkenny: TJ Reid 0-7 (6fs), P Walsh, C Fennelly, R Hogan 0-1 each.

Waterford: S O’Keeffe; S Fives, B Coughlan, N Connors; K Moran, D Fives, P Mahony; J Barron, A Gleeson; M Walsh, P Curran, J Dillon; C Dunford, M Shanahan, S Bennett. Subs: C Roche for Shanahan (61), B O’Halloran for Curran (66), S McNulty for Connors (70).

Kilkenny: E Murphy; P Murphy, J Holden, S Prendergast; P Walsh, K Joyce, D Cody; C Buckley, C Fogarty; W Walsh, R Hogan, TJ Reid; JJ Farrell, M Kelly, C Fennelly. Sub: J Maher for Kelly (48).

Referee: A Kelly (Galway)