Waterford Mistakes punished by Kilkenny masters
Waterford needed to score goals to win this game. But they failed to threaten Kilkenny keeper Eoin Murphy’s goal on any occasion and never looked likely to create a solid goal chance.
After 15 minutes of the first half, both managers would have been happy enough as the scores were tied. But the next minute threw up the main play of the game. A long angled delivery from Kilkenny defender Michael Fennelly was poorly defended. Full-back Barry Coughlan and sweeper Tadhg De Burca got in a tangle and missed the ball. It is a basic mistake in any grade but it is invariably punished at this level. TJ Reid swivelled and raced onto the ball and fired it to the net.
The goal made a crucial difference as it provided a cushion for the champions and put them on the road to victory. Waterford fought back manfully but they never quite caught up. Little mistakes cost them in the second half as Kilkenny turned the screw.
With 13 minutes left, three points separated the teams but Kilkenny added four points to Waterford’s one from Colin Dunford as the game moved down the final stretch. Two points from play in the 60th minute by Richie Hogan, sandwiched on either side by two from Ger Aylward, demonstrated the difference between the teams – the ability of the Cats to get scores at the vital times.
Waterford needed everything to go right for them and needed to keep mistakes to a minimum, particularly at the back, to have any chance of winning. Little mis-controls by defenders and lack of composure on occasions were punished by Kilkenny with TJ Reid benefitting particularly from poor judgement by full-back Barry Coughlan, when he knocked the ball straight to him.
I counted 10 balls that dropped into the hands of Eoin Murphy, who was able to advance and set up counter-attacks while the Déise hit nine wides. Three in the first half was acceptable but the six in the second half would have sapped morale as the game wore on.
This was a learning process for Waterford. They would not have come up, before now, against the speed and level of harassment that is employed by the Kilkenny forwards. Waterford like to build from the back with accurate hand or stick passes to loose players. This was the first time this season that the man in possession or the support players found it difficult to execute this part of their game. There was constant pressure from in front and behind as Kilkenny forwards went into defensive mode.
In all, Kilkenny executed 23 hooks and 13 blocks to Waterford’s eight and six respectively. This type of harassment builds pressure which leads to the concession of possession. This paid dividends at the back for Kilkenny as pressurised forward deliveries by Waterford handed an advantage to their defensive unit.
Kilkenny’s full-back line were never really troubled. Half-backs Cillian Buckleyand Padraig Walsh on the other wing exerted a strong influence on proceedings during the second period.
Kilkenny had 51 percent possession in the first half while the possession stat was equal in the second. Kilkenny used the ball well from the back, particularly out the left side where Cillian Buckley moved a lot of ball.
Richie Hogan and Ger Aylward drifted across and took up positions on the left touch line, unmarked and available as outlets for deliveries from defence. Michael Fennelly was also prominent, making his considerable presence felt playing on the left in a more advanced role. Waterford couldn’t afford to allow players of this calibre to operate with time and space.
Kilkenny play like champions. They do enough and have enough experience to get the necessary scores at the correct times. Challengers are snuffed out by degrees rather than by a blitz. The Cats created 38 scoring chances, taking 22, to Waterford’s 31. They had nine wides, some of the poor variety that no doubt will be worked on for the final.
Brian Cody will be very pleased with the manner of their win. There is a lot to work on for September. Managers know that there are no prizes won in semi-finals. They won yesterday without performing to their optimum, always the better way in semis.
What of Waterford? No doubt manager Derek McGrath will be asked if his year was successful. The answer will depend on his criteria for success at present. They had a year where they would have learned from some opponents but none more than yesterday’s. Playing against the masters in Croke Park, a lot will have been learned. How they apply that learning may determine whether they achieve real success in the next few years.
