JJ Kavanagh & Sons Waterford SHC Round 4 Predictions

Where were we? The Waterford SHC had a breather of over two months after a round of games on a Tuesday evening in June. The competition starts to hot up this weekend with only Passage absolutely certain of their place in the quarter finals. In group one, unbeaten Tallow are the surprise table toppers with Ballygunner, Abbeyside, De La Salle and Fourmilewater jostling for position in behind. Basement sides Lismore and Ballyduff Upper desperately forage for a first win to banish thoughts of intermediate hurling in 2016.

29 August

Lismore v Roanmore (6.00 at Fraher Field) Group 2
Lismore pinched this fixture last year at Walsh Park with injury points from Maurice and Dan Shanahan. The black and amber are running out of chances to salvage their senior status and didn't show up against Passage in round three. Roanmore are in a position of strength with four points and within touching distance of the quarter finals. They also dealt maturely with the loss of Billy Nolan against Cappoquin. A good start and a patient approach is essential for Lismore to wear down a stubborn Roanmore defence and reboot their season.

Odds: Lismore 8/15 Draw 9/1 Roanmore 13/8
Prediction: Lismore

Passage v Mount Sion (6.30 at Kill) Group 2
Passage were the standout team before the championship took a two month break. After stumbling over Roanmore, they blasted 4-39 in two games against Dungarvan and Lismore. They have added Darragh Lynch, Donal Power and Thomas Whitty to their starting fifteen with one of the stars of 2013 John Whitty recovered from injury. Mount Sion find themselves in a battle to hang on to a qualification spot after a slip-up to Roanmore and losing an eight point lead against Dungarvan.  They must plan without the suspended Austin Gleeson and Michael Gaffney for this game.

Odds: Passage 5/6 Draw 8/1 Mount Sion 11/10
Prediction: Passage

De La Salle v Ballyduff Upper (7.30 at Fraher Field) Group 1
A draw with Tallow following by a defeat to Abbeyside left De La Salle with no more room for error. A two point triumph against Ballygunner kickstarted their campaign but they need to keep winning to guarantee progression. Ballyduff Upper have trialled four goalkeepers since the departure of Adrian Power and it remains a problem position. The 2007 county champions will be under pressure here as a relegation battle looms large.

Odds: De La Salle 1/8 Draw 14/1 Ballyduff Upper 9/2
Prediction: De La Salle

30 August

Ballygunner v Abbeyside (2.00 at Kill) Group 1
Two teams who suffered defeats in round three clash on Sunday afternoon with a last eight spot on offer for the winner. As the latter stages near, how much will the Gunners miss both Wayne Hutchinson and Pauric Mahony? David O'Sullivan filled in at number six during the earlier rounds with Stephen Power returning totals of 1-7 and 0-9 in the absence of Mahony. Abbeyside must reach the performance levels that they hit against De La Salle on a consistent basis. They managed a rare win against the Gunners in 2013 but the champions will be keen to sort out their qualification early and may benefit from having a sole focus on the hurling over recent weeks.

Odds: Ballygunner 4/11 Draw 10/1 Abbeyside 9/4
Prediction: Ballygunner

Fourmilewater v Tallow (5.30 at Fraher Field) Group 1
Apart from Passage, Tallow are the only other unbeaten team in the championship. Their recovery from seven points back against De La Salle to nab a draw gave them the platform. Thomas Ryan shot 2-8 against Abbeyside to send them top of the pile back in June. Fourmile showed signs of improvement when they blitzed Ballyduff Upper but their wide counts are still excessive. They must win their last two games to make the quarters. There is only a puck of a ball between these two and if Fourmile are more economical with their shooting, they can stay in the hunt.

Odds: Fourmilewater 4/7 Draw 8/1 Tallow 13/8
Prediction: Fourmilewater

Dungarvan v Cappoquin (7.00 at Fraher Field) Group 2
James O'Connor's men gave a glimpse of their awesome attacking potential against Mount Sion when they hit 1-6 without reply to secure their second win. Kieran Power and Cathal Curran drove them on from midfield and they need to boss that sector for the rest of the campaign. The Blues will start without the services of Colm Curran and Gavin Crotty for this game. Aaron O'Sullivan offers Cappoquin's major scoring threat from open play but he was shut down during the second half against Roanmore. Their narrow win over Lismore may yet spare them from a relegation play-off.

Odds: Dungarvan 1/20 Draw 20/1 Cappoquin 7/1
Prediction: Dungarvan

Waterford SFC Round 4 Dream Team & Top Scorers

1. David Dennison (De La Salle)
2. Kevin Lawlor (Stradbally)
3. Thomas O'Gorman (The Nire)
4. Sean Bourke (Clashmore)
5. Paul Keating (Kilrossanty)
6. David Ryan (Brickey Rangers)
7. Aidan Trihy (Clashmore)
8. Shane Walsh (The Nire)
9. Paddy Kiely (Stradbally)
10. Darren Guiry (The Nire)
11. Donie Breathnach (An Rinn)
12. Declan Allen (Clashmore)
13. Joey Veale (Kilrossanty)
14. Paul Whyte (Kilrossanty)
15. Cormac O'Grady (Brickey Rangers)

Top Scorers 
Jason Curry (Rathgormack) 1-23
Paul Whyte (Kilrossanty) 3-20
Donie Breathnach (An Rinn) 0-24
JJ Hutchinson (Gaultier) 2-17
Shane O'Donovan (Ballinacourty) 5-6
Paudie O'Rourke (Clashmore) 1-12
Gary Hurney (Ballinacourty) 3-5
Clinton Hennessy (Ardmore) 1-9
Joey Veale (Kilrossanty) 1-9
Brian O'Halloran (Clashmore) 0-12
Michael O'Halloran (Ballinacourty) 0-12

Courty and The Nire quarter final bound - Waterford SFC Round 4

The average winning margin in round four stood at eleven points as four of the six matches turned into lop sided contests. Attendances remain very low with the individual gate receipts for The Nire v Rathgormack, Stradbally v St Saviours and Clashmore v De La Salle not exceeding €300. Brickey Rangers and An Rinn played out the game of the weekend as the 2014 intermediate champions and 3/1 underdogs posted their first win with a late, late point by Cormac O'Grady. Ballinacourty and The Nire joined Clashmore, Stradbally and Kilrossanty in the quarter finals as the championship halts until late next month.

Courty were made to grind for the points on a misty Saturday night in Dungarvan as Ardmore pushed them all the way before they carved out a three point victory (1-12 to 1-9). Patrick Hurney (0-5), Michael O’Halloran (0-4) and Shane O’Donovan (1-1) helped them rebound from last weekend’s narrow loss to The Nire and earn a spot in the last eight. O’Donovan’s bullet finish to the top corner powered them into a 1-4 to 0-1 lead after 12 minutes. Ardmore reacted with captain Kenny Murphy spearheading the charge. Conor O’Shea smashed in a goal before the interval to depart only two points adrift (1-6 to 1-4). Patrick Hurney notched four second half points, including one disputed effort, to keep their opponents at arm’s length.

Brickey Rangers edged out fourteen man An Rinn by 1-14 to 1-13 in an enjoyable tussle on Sunday night. Cormac O’Grady kicked the winner in the third minute of injury time for last year’s intermediate champions. The corner forward finished on six points (five from play). Fearghal Ó Ceallaigh and Carthach Barry traded goals either side of half time. Donie Breathnach delivered nine points for An Rinn but they let slip a three point lead over the final quarter.

The Nire romped to a nineteen point win over Rathgormack (4-12 to 0-5) on Friday night as the holders ran amok in the second half to confirm their quarter final status. Darren Guiry netted a second half hat trick as nine different scorers inflicted pain on their local rivals. Rathgormack held The Nire scoreless for the first fifteen minutes but only managed to register a sixth minute free from Jason Curry. The Ballymacarbry side punished those misses when Gearoid Hearn found the corner of the net at the second attempt and they led 1-4 to 0-4 at the break. The Nire put their opponents to the sword with Guiry’s goal rush and outscored their opponents by 3-8 to 0-1 in the second period.

Stradbally made it four wins from four with a 0-20 to 1-3 destruction of St Saviours. Eleven names appeared on the scoresheet for the Reds with Paddy Kiely, Robert Ahearne and Michael Sweeney striking three points each. Kevin Boland raised a green flag for Saviours.

Kilrossanty also returned their fourth win on the trot with a 2-13 to 0-6 triumph against Gaultier. They shaded the first half exchanges by 0-4 to 0-3 as their Eastern opponents kicked ten wides. JJ Hutchinson levelled matters on the resumption but losing Sean Whitty to a second yellow wounded them. Two goals in three minutes by Paul Whyte and Joey Veale midway through the second period allowed Kilrossanty charge away.

Clashmore claimed a facile 3-18 to 1-4 win over De La Salle on Monday night. Declan Allen shot 1-4 with Sean Fleming and Cillian O'Keeffe also among the goals. Kenneth Byrne netted a second half consolation for Salle. Clashmore will dispute top spot with Ballinacourty and The Nire in the final round of group games.

JJ Kavanagh & Sons Waterford SFC Round 4 Predictions

There are still five vacant spots in last eight of the Waterford SFC. The Nire and Ballinacourty can add their names to that list over the weekend. Ardmore, Rathgormack and De La Salle will dispute fourth place in Group 1. Stradbally and Kilrossanty are sitting pretty in Group 2 and two from Gaultier, An Rinn, St Saviours and Brickey Rangers will also make the cut.

21 August

The Nire v Rathgormack (7.30 at Fraher Field) Group 1
Only three points separated these teams in last year's quarter final (1-8 to 0-8) and Rathgormack will hope to create another low scoring contest. They recovered from an early wobble against De La Salle to post their first win as Jason Curry and Jason Gleeson did the bulk of the scoring. Their fifth round tie with Ardmore looks likely to determine their fate. The Nire will have to brush up on their finishing based on last weekend's evidence but they stayed patient to prise open Ballinacourty. Shane Ryan also made a difference off the bench during the final quarter and may earn a start here.

Odds: The Nire 1/8 Draw 14/1 Rathgormack 9/2
Prediction: The Nire

Kilrossanty v Gaultier (7.30 at St Mollerans) Group 2
Two sides who haven't seen action since June but they will be fairly pleased with progress to date. Table toppers Kilrossanty are already through while Gaultier (on three points) need one more result to advance. The green and gold have brought out the best in Paul Whyte so far with 2-16 from three games. Gaultier's run to the Division 1 minor final has benefitted the senior side although their final fixture against An Rinn may offer the best chance of progression.

Odds: Kilrossanty 2/9 Draw 10/1 Gaultier 10/3
Prediction: Kilrossanty

22 August

Ballinacourty v Ardmore (7.30 at Fraher Field) Group 1
Courty won the corresponding fixture by 4-10 to 1-8 in 2014 and they will want to remedy last weekend's second half fadeout immediately. Their attack didn't function as fluently as they would have wished which may result in the return of Michael O'Halloran and Gary Hurney to the first fifteen. Even without Seamus Keating and Clinton Hennessy, Ardmore mounted a spirited second half fightback against Clashmore. A last day shootout with Rathgormack seems imminent for them however.

Odds: Ballinacourty 1/10 Draw 14/1 Ardmore 11/2
Prediction: Ballinacourty

Stradbally v St Saviours  (7.30 at Kill) Group 2
Saviours didn't get the benefit of a competitive outing last weekend and that spells trouble. Stradbally took care of business against An Rinn in clinical style and are primed for another title assault. They used four of last year's minor team which freshened up things. Corner men Daniel Weldon and Michael Sweeney looked eager to impress and scored 1-7 between them. Liam Ó Lonáin exposed a few chinks in their full back line however and Saviours must capitalise on every opportunity to stay in touch. They may replicate the sweeper system used against Kilrossanty in the last round.

Odds: Stradbally 1/16 Draw 20/1 St Saviours 13/2
Prediction: Stradbally

23 August

An Rinn v Brickey Rangers (7.30 at Fraher Field) Group 2
An Rinn's absentee list was compounded last Friday when Tomás Ó Cadhla and Donie Ó Murchadha left the field through injury. They need all hands on deck to get the win they require. Brickeys could consider themselves unlucky to come away empty handed from their game against Gaultier after leading by two points with seven minutes left. In a tight affair, An Rinn's run-out last weekend gives them a slight advantage in terms of sharpness.

Odds: An Rinn 3/10 Draw 15/2 Brickey Rangers 3/1
Prediction: An Rinn

24 August

Clashmore v De La Salle (7.30 at Fraher Field) Group 1
With qualification secured, Clashmore want to hold onto top spot in the standings. They were coasting against Ardmore, leading by ten points at one stage, but failed to close out the game. Their opponents fired 1-4 without reply and it proved a tense finish. Paudie O'Rourke stepped up with 1-7 in an attack that averages 16 points per game. Brian O'Halloran and Sean Fleming also showed prominently during the first half. De La Salle have lost two of their three group games by a single score and as they are scheduled to face The Nire in round five, this may offer their biggest opportunity of survival. Lee Hayes, Colm Morris and Conan Watt impressed against Rathgormack although they missed the potency of Ian Cantwell and Mitchell Casey.

Odds: Clashmore 1/3 Draw 15/2 De La Salle 11/4
Prediction: Clashmore

Waterford SFC Round 3 Dream Team & Top Scorers

1. Richie Ryan (Ballinacourty)
2. Ciaran Bourke (Clashmore)
3. Kieran Connery (Clashmore)
4. Sean Bourke (Clashmore)
5. Brian Wall (The Nire)
6. Darren Guiry (The Nire)
7. Luke Casey (Stradbally)
8. Shane Walsh (The Nire)
9. David Gartland (Ardmore)
10. Jason Curry (Rathgormack)
11. Paudie O'Rourke (Clashmore)
12. Kenny Murphy (Ardmore)
13. Daniel Weldon (Stradbally)
14. Shane Ahearne (Stradbally)
15. Brian O'Halloran (Clashmore)

Top Scorers 
Jason Curry (Rathgormack) 1-20
Paul Whyte (Kilrossanty) 2-16
JJ Hutchinson (Gaultier) 2-12
Shane O'Donovan (Ballinacourty) 4-5
Donie Breathnach (An Rinn) 0-15
Gary Hurney (Ballinacourty) 3-5
Clinton Hennessy (Ardmore) 1-9
Paudie O'Rourke (Clashmore) 1-9
Brian O'Halloran (Clashmore) 0-10
Conor Gleeson (The Nire) 0-10

Walsh kicks The Nire to vital win - Waterford SFC Round 3

 

The headline act of the weekend didn't live up to expectations as The Nire and Ballinacourty fielded below full strength and appeared rusty on Saturday evening at Fraher Field.

Shane Walsh landed three points in a row as Benji Whelan's charges got their title defence back on track with a 0-8 to 0-6 success. After losing to Clashmore, another slip-up would have put them in a difficult spot in terms of the knockout stages and they bombarded the Ballinacourty goal in the second period.

The Nire started without Conor Gleeson, Jamie Barron and Liam Lawlor while their opponents couldn't call on Stephen Enright, Shane Briggs, Michael O'Halloran and Gary Hurney. Title favourites Courty went in a point up (0-3 to 0-2) following a forgettable first half. Both sides looked out of sorts following the three month break and they shot 13 wides between them over the opening thirty. Patrick Hurney and Shane O’Donovan moved Ballinacourty three points ahead on the restart but they failed to score for 24 second half minutes. Despite missing two goal chances through Darren Guiry and Michael O'Gorman, The Nire knocked over six without response. Walsh supplied two long distance scorchers before fisting over a third to register their second win of the season.

Clashmore made it three wins on the spin on Saturday afternoon to qualify for the quarter finals. Paudie O’Rourke claimed 1-7 as they weathered a late rally from neighbours Ardmore (1-15 to 1-12). Their inside line did all of the damage early on as Brian O’Halloran and Sean Fleming kicked five from play between them. On 22 minutes, O’Rourke intercepted Sean Barron’s short kick out and slipped it to the net with only the goalkeeper to beat. The centre forward added two white flags to push them 1-9 to 0-5 clear at halfway. Ardmore narrowed the gap to two points as Michael Cronin’s wicked shot deflected in off Clashmore defender Sean Bourke with six minutes left. O’Rourke clinched their last eight spot with an injury time point.

Stradbally also progressed to the latter stages with a 2-18 to 1-7 demolition of a depleted An Rinn on Friday. Donie Breathnach, Lorcan Ó Corraoin and Ray Ó Ceallaigh were all marked absent for the Gaeltacht side. Ten different players contributed for the winners with corner forwards Daniel Weldon (1-2) and Michael Sweeney (0-5) in top form. The Reds set to work right from the throw in. Weldon had the ball in the net after just 13 seconds following a determined run by Shane Ahearne. On 17 minutes, goalkeeper Tomás Ó Cadhla blocked Ahearne's shot but Ger Power bundled the loose ball over the line. An Rinn reacted with a goal from Bilí Breathnach two minutes later after he was set up by Liam Ó Lonáin. Stradbally scored seven points in a row either side of half time however to cruise home.

Rathgormack eased their relegation fears courtesy of a 2-10 to 2-7 win over De La Salle at St Mollerans. Jason Curry shot 1-7 and Jason Gleeson was also among the goals. Lee Hayes and Michael Roche netted for Salle inside the opening three minutes but Rathgormack gained the upper hand by half time to lead 1-6 to 2-1.

JJ Kavanagh & Sons Waterford SFC Round 3 Predictions

After waiting patiently all summer long, the green light flashes for senior clubs across Waterford to start up their engines once again. For the eight teams that tog out this weekend, it has been three and a half months since their last championship game. May, June and July lay idle but there will be no rest period for the remainder of the season. Four back games in the football championship will be followed by round four next weekend. Round five will be played in mid September following the completion of the group stages in the hurling championship. Kilrossanty are already through to the last eight and Ballinacourty, Stradbally and Clashmore can join them if they collect two more points.

14 August

Stradbally v An Rinn (7.30 at Fraher Field) Group 2
An Rinn won't need any reminding about their last championship encounter with the Reds, a 3-18 to 1-3 hiding in the 2013 semi final. Shorn of several key figures for this third round tie, they may struggle once more. Stradbally laboured to wins against Gaultier and Brickey Rangers but they tend to reserve their energy for this stage of the season. They also hold all the aces around the middle where An Rinn find it difficult to gain primary possession.

Odds: Stradbally 3/10 Draw 15/2 An Rinn 3/1
Prediction: Stradbally

15 August

Clashmore v Ardmore (4.00 at Fraher Field) Group 1
Clashmore are one win away from the quarters but can they recreate a magical April that featured a shock win over reigning champions The Nire? They seem well balanced and are not reliant on one particular individual for scores. Ardmore's midfield pairing of Seamus Keating and David Gartland will put it up to them. After escaping the drop via the relegation play-off in 2014, Ardmore appeared re-energised in their comeback win against De La Salle and the narrow four point loss to The Nire.

Odds: Clashmore 4/11 Draw 15/2 Ardmore 5/2
Prediction: Clashmore

Ballinacourty v The Nire (5.30 at Fraher Field) Group 1
The current holders against the favourites to take their crown. This could be tasty. The Nire need the points more following their first round slip-up yet this is an ideal opportunity for Ballinacourty to set out their stall. They pumped in 8-24 over the opening two rounds with Shane O'Donovan contributing 4-3 from play. Courty possess the strongest squad on paper of all the Conway Cup candidates with a minor Division 1 already secured along with an appearance in the under 21 final. The champions should look sharper than they did during the spring. They relied heavily on the point taking of Conor Gleeson to dispatch Ardmore in round two. This game also doubles up as the Phelan Cup final.

Odds: Ballinacourty 4/5 Draw 13/2 The Nire 5/4
Prediction: Ballinacourty

Rathgormack v De La Salle (7.30 at St Mollerans) Group 1
Two teams with no points on the board and plenty to work on over the lengthy break. Rathgormack submitted tamely to Ballinacourty and Clashmore and will expect more from their under 21 stars for the rest of the championship. De La Salle lost their way in the second half against Ardmore and folded completely a week later to Ballinacourty. With Gavin Nugent, Conor Murray, Jason Gleeson and the Currys on board, Rathgormack's superior firepower gets the vote.

Odds: Rathgormack 2/5 Draw 15/2 De La Salle 9/4
Prediction: Rathgormack

Caught in a cat trap - Waterford v Kilkenny championship ties

Kilkenny 4-10 Waterford 3-12 All Ireland final (1957)
After emerging from Munster for only the third time, Kilkenny stood in Waterford’s path on All Ireland final day. In their first championship meeting, it went to the wire before 70,594 fans. Captain Phil Grimes shot home from a 21 metre free to establish a 1-6 to 1-5 lead at the halfway stage. A pair of goals from Donal Whelan widened the gap to six in the second half. Kilkenny reeled them in during the final quarter however with Mickey Kelly and Billy Dwyer striking two goals each.

Waterford 1-17 Kilkenny 5-5 All Ireland final (1959)
A deflected shot from Seamus Power sent this All Ireland final to a replay. The unerring Frankie Walsh gave Waterford a five point cushion at the interval (0-9 to 1-1). The pendulum swung wildly one way and the other during the second half. Walsh and Tom Cheasty kept tagging on the points but four Kilkenny goals handed them the initiative and a three point lead. Power’s late intervention served up an encore.

Waterford 3-12 Kilkenny 1-10 All Ireland final replay (1959) 
On the first Sunday in October, 77,285 witnessed Waterford’s march to ultimate glory for the second time. It didn’t start so smoothly however. A Denis Heaslip goal put Kilkenny 1-4 to 0-1 in the clear early on. Waterford issued an emphatic response and the damage was repaired by half time. Mick Flannelly’s goal was timely and a Tom Cheasty strike followed swiftly. A second from Flannelly left them 3-5 to 1-8 ahead at the break. Kilkenny’s confidence took a hit and they didn’t register for the last fifteen minutes of the contest. Waterford kicked on and captain Frankie Walsh claimed eight points in all to close out a resounding victory.

Kilkenny 4-17 Waterford 6-8 All Ireland final (1963)
Six goals in an All Ireland final and no Liam McCarthy cup to show up for it. It never happened before or since. A Seamus Power hat trick, two from Mick Flannelly and one from Phil Grimes wasn’t enough for the Déise. They trailed by seven at the midway point (3-6 to 1-5) but five second half majors narrowed the arrears to two in the closing stages. Fourteen points off the stick of Eddie Keher along with two goals apiece by Tom Walsh and Tom Murphy got Kilkenny across the line

Kilkenny 1-11 Waterford 1-10 All Ireland semi final (1998)
Another one point defeat to the Cats and another bitter pill to swallow. “It was a huge missed opportunity,” reflected selector Shane Ahearne. “It’s only as the years go on that you realise, more so than at the time, how much of an opportunity it was to get Waterford on the road to All Ireland finals and maybe winning them even.” The name of Niall Moloney will remain forever engrained in Déise minds as his fortuitous goal tipped an uninspiring All Ireland semi final. On 40 minutes, DJ Carey mishit his free and it broke nicely for the substitute who pulled first time. The sliotar dribbled low into the corner beyond the dive of Brendan Landers. Tony Browne followed up Paul Flynn’s close in free to give Waterford a glimmer. They battered down the door but the Black and Amber advanced from a low scoring tussle in unconvincing fashion. A fiery performance from corner back Willie O’Connor was one of the few highlights.

Kilkenny 3-12 Waterford 0-18 All Ireland semi final (2004)
For this All Ireland semi final, Kilkenny were in action for the third week running while Waterford had stayed in cold storage for six weeks. “It was a massive display of guts and character,” commented Brian Cody after they withstood a late Waterford charge. Justin McCarthy shook things up after the Munster final as Ian O’Regan and Shane O’Sullivan were called into the championship cauldron. On a damp afternoon at GAA HQ, three first half goals sustained the Cats. Henry Shefflin nipped in for two and Eddie Brennan grabbed the other as the slippy conditions unsettled the Déise defence. In the absence of the suspended John Mullane and with four of the starting forwards held scoreless, Paul Flynn blasted a whopping thirteen point total. He confirmed his All Star status with four from play and punished any indiscretions over the dead ball. The Cats tired visibly towards the finish and Flynn drove Waterford forward. Jack Kennedy nabbed three points on his arrival but crucially, Kilkenny kept a clean sheet and survived.

Kilkenny 3-30 Waterford 1-13 All Ireland final (2008)
On September 7, a Kilkenny earthquake struck at Croke Park. “It was the complete display,” stated Cody. “They were totally focused and hurled at a very serious level from the first to the final whistle. I couldn’t ask for more from them.” After repairing their reputation and winning four bouts through the backdoor, Davy Fitzgerald's men were floored by the three in a row chasing Cats and cast seventeen adrift by the break. Eddie Brennan belted 2-4 and hurler of the year Eoin Larkin lashed in the third goal. It took Waterford 46 minutes to score from play through John Mullane. The Sunday Game bizarrely decided to mark Kilkenny’s achievement by awarding Brian Cody the man of the match award.

Kilkenny 2-23 Waterford 3-15 All Ireland semi final (2009)
Another heavy defeat loomed large beforehand but Waterford played their part in a high scoring semi final. Full forward Shane Walsh scored two goals on his Croke Park debut against JJ Delaney and Eoin Kelly netted one. Kilkenny absorbed those blows and kept a comfortable distance. The Waterford full back line leaked scores and Henry Shefflin mopped up with 1-14, including 1-6 from play. A spectacular stop from PJ Ryan near the end also helped them towards the decider. Davy Fitzgerald wasn’t best pleased with referee Barry Kelly in the aftermath. “I’m not going to criticise the ref but I’m not happy with him. He wasn’t the reason we lost. I’m not blaming him. But they have to ref the game. That’s important. I’ll probably get lacerated but I don’t give a s***. Can I make a point to the referee? If I tried, I’d probably get three months but you’d like to ask questions.”

Kilkenny 2-19 Waterford 1-16 All Ireland semi final (2011)
After 18 championship games at the helm, this was Davy Fitzgerald’s last stand as Waterford boss. The Déise regrouped after the Munster final debacle to reach the final four and they battled to the death, spearheaded by John Mullane, “A lot of people were expecting maybe another massacre today," Fitzgerald said. “It didn’t happen. We’re sorry to disappoint some people. I’m very proud of the guys. Where we were four weeks ago wasn’t easy when I had to face all ye guys and for the lads to pick themselves up the way they did, it showed unbelievable character.” Kilkenny threatened to steam ahead at different points but another annihilation never materialised. Richie Hogan’s goal three minutes in spelt trouble and, with a couple of tidy touches, he flicked home a second before the break. They led by six at half time and that stretched to ten during the second period. Alternating between centre forward and corner forward, Mullane went in hot pursuit. He chased it right to the finish and scored 1-6 from play in the process.

Kilkenny 1-22 Waterford 2-16 All Ireland qualifier (2013)
“It was like the Colosseum out there with the way Waterford came back into it. That’s what championship is all about.” The reaction of Tommy Walsh following this ninety minute marathon that finished up close to ten o'clock. Richie Power's goal split the sides at half time (1-6 to 0-6) before captain Kevin Moran rescued his team with two superhuman efforts from wing back. “It was an unbelievably hot evening,” Moran recalled. “A lot of lads just ran out of steam on the day. We really came on as a team in the last ten or fifteen minutes. It was just unfortunate that we didn’t get over the line.” The sides were deadlocked at 1-12 to 0-15 by the end of normal time. Richie Hogan carried the Cats through with four singles over the additional twenty minutes . Goals by Ray Barry (1-3) and Jake Dillon (1-2) levelled the tie with two minutes remaining but Colin Fennelly, Matthew Ruth and Aidan Fogarty delivered late, late points. Waterford ran out of bodies by the end and Michael Ryan made eight substitutions on the night.