Kilkenny were always in command of this challenge game at Páirc Eamonn De Paor in Tallow with a clinical display of score taking. Henry Shefflin, Richie Power and Tommy Walsh made their returns from injury and all three contributed to a very satisfying evening for Brian Cody’s side. Despite the absence of many regulars Davy Fitzgerald will be disappointed with Waterford’s limitations in attack.
Kilkenny opened up a 0-8 to 0-3 lead by the 17th minute. TJ Reid, in a busy display at midfield, fired three of those early points. Declan Prendergast denied Henry Shefflin a goal with a hefty challenge on 12 minutes. The movement of the Kilkenny forwards and the quality ball delivered inside to them was too hot for Waterford to handle. Two points from Richie Hogan and another one by Reid extended the advantage to seven points. Adrian Power made an eye catching save from point blank range when Richie Hogan looked to be in for a certain green flag on 24 minutes.
Seamus Prendergast kicked home a much needed goal a minute later but Kilkenny powered on again to lead 0-15 to 1-5 at half time. Declan Prendergast made another crucial intervention before the break when he hooked Richie Hogan as he advanced towards the goal. Wayne Hutchinson at full back did all in his power to keep Shefflin at bay but the Ballyhale forward still posted four points by the break.
The home side were boosted by a goal from Eoin Kelly a minute after the interval. Thomas Ryan made the incisive run and pass before Kelly doubled on the ball to the net. The Passage man clearly lacks match sharpness despite his goal and will need a big improvement on this display to feature next month against Limerick. This green flag brought the deficit back to four but the Cats pulled away at ease with some deadly accurate finishing. John Mulhall added two after his introduction, Reid launched a mammoth fifth point of the evening and Shefflin continued to chip away from placed balls.
Trailing by ten points in the closing stages Waterford battled to the finish. Thomas Ryan found the roof of the net after a good run from Eamonn Murphy and David O’Sullivan arrowed over a long range point. There were some late off the ball exchanges between Tommy Walsh and Seamus Prendergast but referee Cathal McAllister sensibly just issued a stern warning to both. Shefflin had the final say with his second 65’and his eighth point in all.
Kilkenny had outstanding performers in Paul Murphy, Tommy Walsh, TJ Reid, Henry Shefflin and Richie Hogan to name a few. Adrian Power, Declan Prendergast, Wayne Hutchinson, Seamus Prendergast and Thomas Ryan made the biggest impression on the Waterford side. One statistic reveals all about Waterford’s attacking difficulties on this bitterly cold May evening. Kilkenny registered 21 points from play while Davy Fitzgerald’s side only mustered 3-4.
Scorers:- Kilkenny: H. Shefflin 0-8 (3f, 2 65), TJ Reid 0-5, R. Hogan 0-4, R. Power 0-2, M. Rice 0-2, J. Mulhall 0-2, P. Hogan 0-1, C. Fennelly 0-1, C. Fogarty 0-1.
Waterford: E. Kelly 1-2 (2f), S. Prendergast 1-1, T. Ryan 1-1, R. Foley 0-3 (2f, 1 65), J. Nagle 0-1, D. O’Sullivan 0-1.
Kilkenny: David Herity, Paul Murphy, Noel Hickey, Jackie Tyrell, Tommy Walsh, Brian Hogan, Paddy Hogan, TJ Reid, Colin Fennelly, Michael Rice, Richie Power, Eddie Brennan, Matthew Ruth, Henry Shefflin, Richie Hogan.
Subs: R. Doyle for Fennelly (47 mins), J. Mulhall for Power (47 mins), M. Kavanagh for Tyrell (52 mins), C. Fogarty for Ruth (58 mins), K. Joyce for B. Hogan (63 mins), PJ Delaney for Rice (63 mins).
Waterford: Adrian Power, Declan Prendergast, Wayne Hutchinson, Aiden Kearney, Philip Mahony, Kevin Moran, Jamie Nagle, Eoin McGrath, Richie Foley, Gavin Crotty, Shane Fives, Stephen Molumphy, Thomas Ryan, Seamus Prendergast, Eoin Kelly.
Subs: S. O’Keeffe for Power (H-T), N. Connors for D. Prendergast (H-T), M. Walsh for P. Mahony (H-T), E. Murphy for Fives (H-T), S. Casey for Crotty (H-T), T. Browne for McGrath (H-T), D. O’Sullivan for Foley (49 mins), D. Fives for Connors (63 mins).
Wides – Waterford: 6 Kilkenny: 13
Man of the match: TJ Reid (Kilkenny)
Referee: Cathal McAllister (Cork)
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