All-Ireland Senior Hurling Semi-Final

KILKENNY 1-21 WATERFORD 0-24

by Paul Keane at Croke Park

Pauric Mahony struck an incredible 14 points for Waterford at Croke Park but it still wasn't enough to overcome holders Kilkenny who struck at the death to rescue an All-Ireland semi-final replay.

Mahony's huge haul put the Deise into an unexpected three-point lead approaching the 70th minute but Walter Walsh's goal for Kilkenny leveled the game in dramatic circumstances.

Free-taker Mahony, who has bounced back to his best following a horrific leg break last year, put Waterford one up again in the 74th minute after a foul on Jamie Barron.

But Kilkenny midfielder Conor Fogarty ultimately tied it up with the equalising point, ensuring a replay between the neighbouring counties.

It all means Kilkenny's hopes of a three-in-a-row of All-Ireland titles remain intact despite coming so close to just a 10th Championship defeat of the Brian Cody era.

Waterford bounced back from their 21-point Munster final defeat to Tipperary with a quarter-final win over Wexford though the suspicion was that Kilkenny were operating at a higher level.

Cody's side retained their Leinster title with wins over Dublin and Galway to qualify for a 17th All-Ireland semi-final in 18 seasons under the long serving boss.

But they found Waterford a tough nut to crack throughout and, like the Leinster final against Galway, it was the underdogs that led at half-time.

Waterford hit the interval with a 0-13 to 0-12 advantage though sensed that the hard work was just beginning having watched Kilkenny come strong in the second-half of their previous two games.

Still, Waterford's big guns were all firing with Mahony contributing nine of their 12 first-half points and showing all of his skills from placed balls and open play.

Kevin Moran was immense at midfield too, scoring a point and getting through a tonne of good work like the free he won for Mahony to convert Waterford's second point.

In-form Austin Gleeson, who hit 0-5 overall, scored two great early points also, one after a fine catch catch from a puck out.

Richie Hogan was sharpest for Kilkenny in the first-half and he hit four fine points, three of those from out on the left wing and the other a clever effort under pressure from closer in.

It was all the Cats could do to keep in touch with Waterford though and they were mightily relieved to go just a point down having twice trailed by three during the half.

Waterford started the second-half with points from Mahony and Gleeson to make a statement that they were here to stay.

They moved four clear in the 50th minute following a glut of points from Gleeson, Mahony and sub Maurice Shanahan.

Kilkenny were in real trouble and trailed by five at one stage though they showed all their experience to reel in the Deise who sat back in the closing minutes and tried to defend their lead.

TJ Reid pointed three frees, taking his tally to 0-11, before Colin Fennelly fed Walsh who struck the equalising goal from close range at the Hill 16 End in the 69th minute.

Both sides had their chances to win it in during the five minutes of injury time but parity eventually prevailed and they will do it all again.

Scorers for Kilkenny: TJ Reid 0-11 (0-11-f), R Hogan 0-4, W Walsh 1-1, C Fogarty 0-2, C Fennelly 0-1, M Fennelly 0-1, E Larkin 0-1.

Scorers for Waterford: Pauric Mahony 0-14 (0-9f, 0-1 65), A Gleeson 0-5, J Dillon 0-2, K Moran 0-1, M Shanahan 0-1, P Curran 0-1.

Kilkenny: E Murphy; P Murphy, J Holden, S Prendergast; P Walsh, K Joyce, C Buckley; C Fogarty, M Fennelly; W Walsh, R Hogan, TJ Reid; J Farrell, J Power, C Fennelly. Subs: E Larkin for Farrell (46), L Ryan for Joyce (49).

Waterford: S O'Keeffe; S Fives, B Coughlan, N Connors; Philip Mahony, T de Burca, C Gleeson; K Moran, J Barron; M Walsh, A Gleeson, Pauric Mahony; S Bennett, J Dillon, C Dunford. Subs: M Shanahan for Dunford (h/t), P Curran for Bennett (53), B O'Halloran for Dillon (66).

Referee: J Owens (Wexford).