Rower-Inistioge defender Kieran Joyce said he is relieved his side are still in the Kilkenny senior hurling championship after Sunday's 0-12 to 0-12 draw with Carrickshock.
In a topsy-turvy quarter-final encounter, Rower-Inistioge went three points up at the break but also trailed with just a few minutes left in the second half before securing a replay.
Joyce scored two points from long-range for his team. Richie Power was sent off for Carrickshock but will be available for the second game, something Joyce is certainly wary of.
He told RTÉ Sport: “We're just happy to still be in the Championship. The way the game went, at 12 points each, it was very close.
“You're ahead for a certain stage and then they got ahead. We're lucky and happy to be still in it. We'll do battle again next week.
“It was tough conditions and a few challenges were late and that kind of thing. Richie Power will be back next week and he'll be looking forward to trying to round me and roast me but we'll try to stop that.
"I told him we'll do battle again next week.”
Joyce added that there is a still a buzz in Kilkenny after the All-Ireland success at county level.
Clara and St Martin’s are already in the semi-finals and Danesfort play Ballyhale Shamocks next weekend along with the replay involving Joyce’s club and Carrickshock to complete the last four line-up.
He said the inter-county triumph marries into the club experience.
“There is of course [still a buzz in the county]. All the kids are going around with the hurleys still.
“They are wearing Kilkenny jerseys, looking for autographs and that and there is always a great buzz around after that.
“The club will add into that as well. We'll do battle on the pitch but we'll be friends going off it. Whatever way it goes, you wish the other man the best of luck.”
