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Highlights from an epic like Waterford stuns Kilkenny
Highlights of an epic like Waterford stuns Kilkenny
Waterford came back from a nine-point deficit to surprise Kilkenny and reach the Irish final in an epic game at Croke Park.
The Déise have tried and failed in the most heroic ways in the 61 years since their last All-Ireland title. Wouldn’t it be typical if they ended their drought in the most unusual of years?
Liam Cahill has churned the waters on Suir’s side. The Tipperary native has rejuvenated this Déise team and oversaw their way back in a big way.
Prior to this season, Waterford had not won a championship game since the 2017 Irish semi-final. More than anyone, Waterford knows how difficult it is to reach the final. And they’ll be shooting to finally get over the line this time.
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The Cats initially prepared on the defensive, seeking to swarm the Waterford attack. And it worked like a charm, as Dessie Hutchinson and company were hungry for the space they craved.
Up front, the Cats were much more efficient, played a smart passing game, and worked their way to an early lead. At the other end, Waterford was getting frustrated, racking up nine wide in the first half, thanks in large part to poor shot selection.
Kilkenny’s pace of work was resumed in the 19th minute, when Calum Lyons was forced to fight his way out of defense. Ballyduff Lower’s man eventually spread his shoulders to drive him over the bar for a long-range point, but the pressure he was put under was indicative of the effort put in by Kilkenny’s forwards throughout.
Cracks began to appear in the Waterford defense.
First it was Richie Hogan who won a long pass and ran towards the goal. His fierce shot went straight to Stephen O’Keeffe, who got to his feet well. But Martin Keoghan was available to pull him into the net.
In the 25th minute, TJ Reid added a second. The Ballyhale star caught a ball under Conor Prunty’s nose, after the Abbeyside man failed to catch the sliotar clean from the sky. The former Hurler of the Year ran in and buried him in a net, helping his team take a 2-11-0-10 lead at halftime.
Waterford seemed uneasy, and it seemed like playing three weekends in a row was proving too good a question.
0:36 TJ Reid’s goal in the first half was a bullet
Waterford had lost by nine in the first half, but it was like a switch was flipped at half-time. They reappeared rejuvenated. Whatever Liam Cahill said at halftime, it certainly had the desired effect.
A series of points from Bennett, Hutchinson and Austin Gleeson brought them back into dispute. And a Bennett goal turned the contest around.
Neil Montgomery’s long-distance point in the 52nd minute put Déise in the lead.
Surprisingly, Waterford was leading by three when the second half water break was called. And it was a much-needed pause for the Cats, who were in disarray.
Jack Prendergast of Waterford in action against Paddy Deegan of Kilkenny
Although Waterford’s momentum had momentarily stalled, they quickly returned to normal. Hurler of the year 2016 Gleeson had found his groove and was wreaking havoc up front, with Búrca’s Tadhg putting on an inspiring score.
When substitute Darragh Lyons blew the net in the 59th minute, the fat woman cleared her throat.
Kilkenny was unable to get it back, as Waterford strove for a famous victory.
But they have enjoyed big victories at Croke Park over the years and have come away with nothing. Waterford will return to Jones’ Road for All-Ireland on the final day, with the intention of finally taking the biggest prize of the lot.
What they say …
“When we got here, we knew we had a chance,” said man of the match Stephen Bennett.
“We have to go up and start acting against these teams. We were a little scared, I don’t think we were even flat in the first half. We were scared by the balls.
“We were in the game, we just had to stop and compose ourselves. In fairness to the guys, they all stood up.”
2:37 Stephen Bennett says if all the players stand up they can beat anyone
Scorers
Kilkenny: TJ Reid (1-14 – 0-13 free), Martin Keoghan (1-1), Richie Hogan (0-2), Eoin Cody (0-2), John Donnelly (0-2), Cillian Buckley (0 -1), Paddy Deegan (0-1).
Waterford: Stephen Bennett (1-10 – 0-6 free), Austin Gleeson (0-4), Darragh Lyons (1-0), Jack Prendergast (0-2), Calum Lyons (0-2), Dessie Hutchinson (0 -2), Neil Montgomery (0-2), Shane McNulty (0-1), Iarlaith Daly (0-1), Tadhg de Búrca (0-1), Jamie Barron (0-1), Jack Fagan (0- 1).
Equipment
Waterford
1. Stephen O’Keeffe
2. Ian Kenny
3. Conor Prunty
4. Shane McNulty
5. Calum Lyons
6. Tadhg of Búrca
7. Kevin Moran
8. Jamie Barron
9. Jake Dillon
10. Stephen Bennett
11. Kieran Bennett
12. Jack Fagan
13. Dessie Hutchinson
14. Austin Gleeson
15. Jack Prendergast
Subs
Neil Montgomery for Jake Dillon (minute 18)
Darragh Lyons by Kieran Bennett (minute 49)
Count of Daly for Kevin Moran (minute 61)
Conor Gleeson for Jack Prendergast (minute 61)
Patrick Curran for Jack Fagan (minute 68)
Kilkenny
1. Eoin Murphy
2. Conor Delaney
3. Huw Lawlor
4. Tommy Walsh
5. Padraig Walsh
6. Cillian Buckley
7. Paddy Deegan
8. Conor Browne
9. Conor Fogarty
10. John Donnelly
11. TJ Reid
12. Martin Keoghan
13. Billy Ryan
14. Richie Hogan
15. Eoin Cody
Subs
Walter Walsh for Martin Keoghan (minute 39)
Colin Fennelly for Billy Ryan (48th minute)
Alan Murphy for Conor Browne (minute 49 to 52 temporary)
Nialll Brassil by Richie Hogan (minute 57)
Ger Aylward for Eoin Cody (minute 58)
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