Flynn seals victory for Waterford
In the end it proved to be a faltering start by Kilkenny in defence of their league title, but on the day there could be no questioning the merits of Waterford's win.
The Decies dug deep in the second half, when they had to defend what looked like a totally inadequate two point interval lead with the howling wind against them. But they defended in style to fashion a spectacular victory.
The Cats manager, Brian Cody, wasn't seeking any excuses in his post match interview as he fairly and frankly acknowledged that victory went to the better side.
"This is a good Waterford team, and while we're disappointed to have lost there can be no taking away from what was an excellent display by the opposition,'' said Cody. "Any other result would have been an injustice."
The dual champions even threw DJ Carey and John Hoyne into the fray with 11 minutes remaining in an effort to break down a superb Deise defence in which Declan Prendergast and Tony Browne were magnificent.
They finally looked to have assumed pole position when points by Henry Shefflin (free) and Tommy Walsh brought them level by the 67th minute, but on a day when Waterford's grit and determination knew no limits they were not going to be denied. And fittingly it was Paul Flynn who sealed their morale boosting victory with a brace of superb points in the closing minutes.
Kilkenny might have salvaged the day when newcomer James Maher was clean through in the 63rd minute, but his goal bound drive was somehow diverted around the upright by goalkeeper Ian O'Regan.
Waterford's start, even with the assistance of the elements, was tentative and it was Kilkenny who looked the sharper in the early sequences. Gradually however, the Deise forwards began to threaten, and with midfielder Dave Bennett converting a brace of frees their challenge was finally up and running.
John Mullane twice found the range for super points and by the 17th minute they had eased five clear, with 0-6 to 0-1.
In the space of 60 seconds, however, the game looked like it was turned on its head with Eoin Kelly blazing wide of an open goal in the 23rd minute, and Eddie Brennan goaling Kilkenny at the other end, striking a Paddy Mullally free to the net.
It was then Sean Ryan's turn to squander another glorious goal chance for Waterford in the 26th minute, and when Bennett's low trajectory "65'' clattered off the butt of an upright five minutes later one felt it just might not be the Decies' day.
Their very fragile 0-10 to 1-5 half-time lead only strengthened that belief, but that was without bargaining on the steel and resolve their second half performance would bring.
Tactically their deployment of Eoin Kelly as a third midfielder worked a treat, as did switches in attack that included the placement of full forward Seamus Prendergast on the right wing.
Prendergast won virtually everything on his flank thereafter, and with Paul Flynn at his inspirational best, the champions were finding it more and more difficult to get their noses in front.
A foul on Prendergast yielded a Waterford penalty in the 40th, but James McGarry kept out Flynn's pile-driver as another great goal chance was lost.
Bennett and Michael Walsh however continued to graft tirelessly wherever the action was, and try as they might, the Cats couldn't get through for the scores that might have turned the tide for them.
O'Regan's super save from Maher's bullet was undoubtedly a defining moment, and even when the champions eventually levelled with enough time still on the clock to gain an outright victory, it was Waterford who found the extra reserves to go on and do so.
Not even Carey could save Kilkenny, and Flynn's delightful point from play on 70 minutes and another from a "65'' two minutes into added time signed and sealed a Waterford win that was as deserved as it was impressive.
Waterford: P. Flynn (0-7, 0-3 frees, 0-1 65); D. Bennett (0-4, frees); J. Mullane (0-3); E. Murphy (0-1). Kilkenny: H. Shefflin (0-5, 0-4 frees); E. Brennan (1-0); J. Maher (0-2); T. Walsh (0-2); J. Fitzpatrick (0-1).
I. O'Regan; T. Feeney. D. Prendergast, D. O'Brien; E. Murphy, T. Browne, B. Phelan; D. Bennett, M. Walsh; E. Kelly, D. Shanahan, P. Flynn; J. Mullane, S. Prendergast, S. Ryan. Subs: B. Wall for Murphy (inj); L. Lawlor for Phelan (inj)
J. McGarry; M. Kavanagh, N. Hickey, W. Burke; R. Mullally, J.J. Delaney, J. Tyrell; D. Lyng. P, Mullally; C. Phelan, H. Shefflin, T. Walsh; J. Fitzpatrick. E. Brennan. J. Maher; Subs; D. J. Carey for Fitzpatrick; J. Hoyne for Brennan.
D. Kirwan (Cork).
