A 75th minute point from a free by Cian Kenny earned Kilkenny their second win from three outings when they edged out unlucky Waterford in a keenly fought and gripping National Hurling League clash at UPMC Nowlan Park.
The losers were actually two points to the good passing the 68th minute mark after back-to-back scores from Sean Walsh and the excellent Stephen Bennett edged them 1-20 to 1-18 clear battling into the influential down field wind.
However, the Cats, who had been disjointed at times during the closing half, dragged themselves back, first with a point from Kenny (free) before Martin Keoghan levelled it in the 73rd minute.
Then in the last meaningful play of the match a foul on sub John Donnelly was punished by the free from 55 metres by Kenny.
There was a low key start to the game, and although playing against the wind, Kilkenny were the more productive team during the early stages. They were boosted by a goal in the seventh minute from Keoghan, who finished to the net at the second attempt after his initial shot was saved by Waterford goalie Billy Nolan.
With the home attackers showing well for the ball coming out of a defence that was given too much room to clear the sliotar, the Cats motored on smartly. When corner-back, Mikey Butler, raced up the field unattended to collect a free from Cian Kenny before shooting a point in the 20th minute the unsure visitors were left 0–03 to 1-06 behind.
However, an inspiring moment from full-back Mark Fitzgerald changed the Waterford mood within minutes. He broke from his line like a sprinter to gain possession before shooting an inspiring point from all of 85 metres. All of a sudden the Suirsiders were on fire.
The points flowed. Four more came without reply from Shane Bennett, Paddy Leavey, Michael Kiely and Jamie Barron to cut the gap to the minimum by the 27th minute.
Kenny steadied the Kilkenny ship when he shot a point, but the visitors had now found their rhythm and they were flying. They drove on smartly and drew level when lively sub Sean Mackey nabbed his second point.
However, a point from a free by Cian Kenny in time added on left Kilkenny leaders by 1-11 to 0-13 at the break.
When the Cats opened the new half with points from David Blanchfield and Kenny (free), and with the wind in their backs, the 7,466 attendance must have felt they would power on. They didn't. They weren’t let. The Waterford defence, inspired by Iarlaith Daly, Mark Fitzgerald and the free running Shane Bennett, slowly gained the upper-hand.
The visitors’ case received a huge boost in the 40th minute when Stephen Bennett went on a 35 metre solo run before setting-up Sean Walsh for a goal from the left edge of the square. It was all square; 1-13 each.
The scores were locked together four times subsequently before the Sean Walsh and Stephen Bennett points mentioned earlier arrived. The Cats still had a bit left in the tank, and Kenny’s late strike won them the day.
Kilkenny: Eoin Murphy; Mikey Butler (0-01), Michael Carey, Rory Garrett; Killian Doyle, Darragh Corcoran (0-01), Paddy Deegan; Jordan Molloy (0-01), David Blanchfield (0-02); Timmy Clifford (0-1), Eoin Cody (0-02), Cian Kenny (0-7, six frees); Stephen Donnelly, Liam Moore (0-02), Martin Keoghan (1-02).
Subs: John Donnelly (0-01) for Clifford 42nd min; Ed McDermott (0-01) for S. Donnelly 49th min; Richie Reid for M. Butler 63rd min; Michael Brennan for Moore 67th min.
Waterford: Billy Nolan; Aaron O’Neill, Mark Fitzgerald (0-01), Conor Keane; Paddy Leavey (0-01), Iarlaith Daly, Shane Bennett (0-02); Michael Kiely (0-01), Jamie Barron (0-02); Calum Lyons, Kevin Mahony, Reuben Halloran (0-01); Stephen Bennett (0-5, two frees, one 65), Sean Walsh (1-02), Charlie Treen (0-01).
Subs: Sean Mackey (0-03) for C. Lyons 30th min; Patrick Curran (0-01) for Treen ht; Jack Prendergast for C. Keane 39th min; Dessie Hutchinson for K. Mahony 52nd min.
Referee: Sean Stack (Dublin).
