Big start to the Allianz Hurling Leagues Division IA as Leinster champions Kilkenny host Waterford in Nowlan Park on Sunday (throw-in 2pm) - can the Cats get off to a good start in the Allianz Leagues or will Na Déise gain the upperhand following their narrow defeat to Kilkenny last August in the Championship? GAA.ie hears from Waterford's Philip Mahony ahead of the game ! Juveniles (Under 16 Years of Age) are FREE, while adult tickets are €12.00 if purchased before matchday. Match-Day Prices are Adult €15.00, while concessions (Student/OAP) are €12.00 and available at the venue on matchday with valid I.D.
Sunday February 12
Allianz Hurling League Division 1A
Kilkenny v Waterford, Nowlan Park, 2pm
Leaving Semple Stadium following two breathless matches between Kilkenny and Waterford it was easy to see and feel the mutual respect which exists.
Kilkenny are aware of the strides Waterford have taken under Derek McGrath, who has guided the Deise to two All-Ireland Semi-Finals in a row.
"They are targeting an All-Ireland Final,” is Brian Cody’s assessment of Waterford’s current place in the game.
“That's what's in their heads, you can be sure. They see themselves of that quality. Which they are. No doubt about that. They are right at the top there in hurling.”
Derek McGrath has frequently spoken about his appreciation of Kilkenny’s class and character so going to Nowlan Park always carries a bit of intrigue.
Waterford experimented throughout the Co-op Superstores.ie Munster Hurling League, Kilkenny also included a few new additions for the Bord Na Mona Walsh Cup.
The Cats, though, aided by Richie Hogan’s 11 point haul overcame Galway in the decider last weekend with Kieran Joyce anchoring the defence impressively.
Philip Mahony will miss the game through injury, but speaking at the Allianz Hurling League Belfast launch he spoke about Waterford’s journey. “Obviously we have a tough assignment in our first match of the year against Kilkenny on Sunday,” Mahony says. “We're literally just taking every game as it comes and hopefully we can keep trying to improve because we haven't succeeded really.
“In the last three years we haven't gotten to where we want to get to, so we have to keep just driving it on.”
This is the type of arena in which Waterford’s emerging players want to see if they can operate effectively according to Mahony.
“These are the games you want to be playing in, you want to be putting yourself up against the best. We're playing Tipp the week after too, so the games are coming at us very quickly.
“It's nice to play Kilkenny first, but it doesn't matter too much because you're going to play all the teams at some stage. The games come so quickly in the League it's brilliant.
“You're constantly playing matches so you don't have too much time to think about it, you just have to get on with it and get it right for next week.”
KILKENNY: Eoin Murphy; Joey Holden, Padraig Walsh, Conor O'Shea; Paul Murphy, Kieran Joyce, Cillian Buckley; Ollie Walsh, Conor Fogarty; Pat Lyng, TJ Reid, Sean Morrissey; Jonjo Farrell, Liam Blanchfield, Richie Hogan.
WATERFORD: Ian O'Regan; Shane Fives, Barry Coughlan, Noel Connors; Tadhg de Burca, Stephen Daniels, Mikey Kearney; Jamie Barron, Conor Gleeson; Kevin Moran, Pauric Mahony, Michael Walsh; Patrick Curran, Tom Devine, Shane Bennett.
