Allianz HL D1A: Kilkenny edge out Waterford
Eoin Cody, Kilkenny, and Shane Bennett, Waterford, in Allianz Hurling League action. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
Allianz Hurling League Division 1A
Kilkenny 1-21 Waterford 1-20
Kilkenny grabbed their second victory of the Allianz Hurling League, but only after Cian Kenny converted a 76th minute free to deny near neighbours Waterford in a competitive affair at UPMC Nowlan Park.
The Cats scored the final three points of the game to get over the line after Waterford battled back from six point first half deficit.
As well as Kenny who converted seven points in total, there was a valuable 1-2 contribution from Mossy Keoghan including the late leveller that helped turn the tide in Derek Lyng’s side’s favour.
Even though they played against the wind in the opening 35 minutes, Kilkenny opened up a six point lead by the end of the first quarter with Mossy Keoghan’s ground hurling finish setting the tone in amidst points from Cian Kenny, Liam Moore and Mikey Butler.
Five points on the spin between the 25th and 28th minutes very much had the visitors back in contention with a Jamie Barron double and singles via Mark Fitzgerald, Paddy Leavey and Shane Bennett leaving the bare minimum between the sides.
Kilkenny kicked on with further scores from Kenny, Jordan Molloy and Timmy Clifford, but with Waterford landing another four points in succession including two from substitute Sean Mackey, there was just a point between the teams at the break.
Kilkenny quickly moved the advantage out to three with points from Kenny and David Blanchfield immediately upon the resumption.
The Deise then grabbed a lifeline when Sean Walsh blasted a shot to the net past Eoin Murphy in the 41st minute.
A Patrick Curran effort then gave Waterford the lead for the first time in the contest, but Kilkenny soon steadied the ship with Keoghan, Ed McDermott, John Donnelly, and Eoin Cody scoring in quick succession as they led 1-18 to 1-16 going inside the final 10 minutes.
Waterford refused to go away and four points on the trot through the increasingly impactful Stephen Bennett, Sean Mackey and Sean Walsh looked to have secured a rare win on Noreside.
Kilkenny had other ideas, though, and helped by five minutes of additional time, they soon levelled matters through points from Keoghan and Kenny.
The home team found a way to success when Cian Kenny pointed a free following a foul on John Donnelly.
Scorers for Kilkenny- Cian Kenny 0-7 (6fs); Martin Keoghan 1-2; Liam Moore, Eoin Cody, David Blanchfield 0-2 each; Timmy Clifford, Jordan Molloy, Darragh Corcoran, Mikey Butler, Ed McDermott, John Donnelly 0-1 each.
Scorers for Waterford- Sean Walsh 1-2; Stephen Bennett 0-5 (2fs and 1 '65); Sean Mackey 0-3; Shane Bennett, Jamie Barron 0-2 each; Charlie Treen, Reuben Halloran, Paddy Leavey, Mark Fitzgerald, Michael Kiely, Patrick Curran 0-1 each.
Kilkenny- Eoin Murphy; Mikey Butler, Michael Carey, Rory Garrett; Killian Doyle, Darragh Corcoran, Paddy Deegan; Jordan Molloy, David Blanchfield; Timmy Clifford, Eoin Cody, Cian Kenny; Stephen Donnelly, Liam Moore, Martin Keoghan.
Subs: John Donnelly for Clifford, 44 mins; Ed McDermott for S.Donnelly, 50 mins; Richie Reid for Butler, 64 mins; Michael Brennan for Moore, 68 mins; Luke Connellan for Molloy, 76 mins.
Waterford- Billy Nolan; Aaron O'Neill, Mark Fitzgerald, Conor Keane; Paddy Leavey, Iarlaith Daly, Shane Bennett; Michael Kiely, Jamie Barron; Calum Lyons, Kevin Mahony, Reuben Halloran; Stephen Bennett, Sean Walsh, Charlie Treen.
Subs: Sean Mackey for Lyons, 31 mins; Patrick Curran for Treen, h-t; Jack Predergast for Keane, 41 mins; Dessie Hutchinson for Mahony, 53 mins.
Referee: Sean Stack (Dublin).
