Errors and excitement aplenty as strong finish helps Cats squeeze past Waterford 

Cian Kenny’s free in the sixth minute of additional time for a foul on John Donnelly was the difference at Nowlan Park

CLOSE CONFINES: Waterford's Reuben Halloran with Paddy Deegan, Liam Moore and John Donnelly of Kilkenny. PIc: INPHO/Tom O’Hanlon

NHL Division 1A: KILKENNY 1-21 WATERFORD 1-20 

Kilkenny scored the last three points to squeeze past Waterford in UPMC Nowlan Park this afternoon.

Cian Kenny’s free in the sixth minute of additional time for a foul on John Donnelly was the difference in an error-strewn, if exciting Division 1A encounter.

Seán Walsh’s goal in the 41st minute squared up the game. Stephen Bennett claimed a puck-out and then left Kilkenny players in his wake before a reverse hand-pass to Walsh.

Waterford went ahead for the first time two minutes later through substitute Patrick Curran. Goalkeeper Eoin Murphy then had to be alert to deny Curran a goal attempt.

Waterford’s full-back line were strong against the wind as Kilkenny’s had been in the first half. The ball was not sticking for the home side but overhitting deliveries didn’t help either. Although, Martin Keoghan and substitute Ed McDermott did break Waterford’s scoring burst to change the lead.

Yet the affair remained a nip and tuck one – the sides were level three times between the 53rd and 64th minutes. Waterford hit Kilkenny for four scores to lead by two in the 69th minute, a Stephen Bennett point doubling the gap.

Kenny fired back with a converted placed ball and in the fourth minute of stoppage time Keoghan restored parity for an eighth occasion. Then Kenny faded over his sixth free to hand Kilkenny their second win of the campaign.

The less said about the opening quarter, the better. Martin Keoghan’s eighth minute goal was the highlight of a dour enough opening as both teams struck more wides than scores.

Keoghan expertly dispossessed Aaron O’Neill, lifted the ball and while his first attempt was kept out by Billy Nolan he followed it up with a ground stroke to the net.

Kilkenny went as far as six points ahead, 1-6 to 0-3, in the 21st minute. A flurry of Waterford scores followed. After hitting eight wides up to the 23rd minute, their following five shots sailed over the bar.

It was the defenders who led the way. Mark Fitzgerald won a footrace then sent over a long-range point. Shane Bennett and Paddy Leavey backed him up and then Mikey Kiely and Jamie Barron joined the party.

Kilkenny responded with three of their own, two from Kenny (one from a free), but Waterford came back with five of the next six scores to come within a point once more. Substitute Seán Mackey made a quick impact with a brace of them.

Kilkenny’s touch around the middle deserted them at times but Kenny sent over a free in additional time to expand their lead to two, 1-11 to 0-13.

Scorers for Kilkenny: C. Kenny (0-7, 6 frees); M. Keoghan (1-2); L. Moore, D. Blanchfield, E. Cody (0-2 each); M. Butler, T. Clifford, J. Molloy, E. McDermott, J. Donnelly, D. Corcoran (0-1 each).

Scorers for Waterford: S. Walsh (1-2); Stephen Bennett (0-5, 2 frees, 1 65); S. Mackey (0-3); J. Barron, Shane Bennett (0-2 each); M. Fitzgerald, P. Leavey, M. Kiely, C. Treen, R. Halloran, P. Curran (0-1 each).

KILKENNY: A. Tallis; R. Garrett, M. Carey, M. Butler; K. Doyle, D. Corcoran (c), P. Deegan; J. Molloy, D. Blanchfield; C Kenny, E. Cody, L. Moore; T. Clifford, M. Keoghan, S. Donnelly.

Subs for Kilkenny: J. Donnelly for T. Clifford (43); E. McDermott for S. Donnelly (50); R. Reid for M. Butler (64); M. Brennan for L. Moore (68); L. Connellan for J. Molloy (70+6).

WATERFORD: B. Nolan; A. O’Neill, M. Fitzgerald (c), C. Keane; P. Leavey, I. Daly, Shane Bennett; C. Lyons, J. Barron; M. Kiely, Stephen Bennett, R. Halloran; K. Mahony, S. Walsh, C. Treen.

Subs for Waterford: S. Mackey for C. Lyons (31); P. Curran for C. Treen (h-t); J. Prendergast for C. Keane (40); D. Hutchinson for K. Mahony (53).

Referee: S. Stack (Dublin)