Waterford boss Queally questions referee's decision on Cats' winning free

CLOSE ONE: Waterford manager Peter Queally, left, and Kilkenny manager Derek Lyng shake hands at full-time after the Allianz Hurling League Division 1A match between Kilkenny and Waterford at UPMC Nowlan Park in Kilkenny. Pic: Paul Phelan/Sportsfile

Peter Queally couldn’t determine if Cian Kenny’s winning free went over the bar but he questioned referee Seán Stack’s decision to award it.

Hurley-less Jamie Barron was deemed to have fouled John Donnelly for the stoppage time score but Queally felt it was a tame one to award.

“Anyone who was over there (on the Breathnach Stand side) thought it was a soft enough free," he said. "Especially when the game is in the melting pot and everything is on the line, you kind of think that you'd have to really earn a free to get it. If it's a free, it's a free. But by all accounts, it was a soft enough free for us to end up losing the game.” 

Queally’s opposite number Derek Lyng was glad to see his side subdue a Waterford team in the closing stages. 

"It's a great win. It's great to pick up the win when you're at home," Lynch said after the one-point victory. “At the end, it looked like the momentum had gone with Waterford and I think the way we finished the game was really pleasing. We made lots of mistakes, particularly in the second half. But we're really happy with how we responded and kept going."

Lyng expects Sunday’s visit of Cork will give him a great indication of where Kilkenny stand at the moment: “It's a huge test. But it's a great test to get. They're a fantastic team and obviously playing very well at the minute. We'll find out an awful lot more about ourselves and our team as well.” 

By the time Sunday comes around, Cork will have not played in four weeks but Lyng is certain they will be sharp. “They'll be okay, I'd say,” he smiled. “I'm sure they're working hard away.

“It's going to be a great test because they're a team that's obviously contested the last few All Irelands and they're moving well. It's a great game to look forward to.” 

A large crowd is anticipated in UPMC Nowlan Park for the clash with Munster champions as there was for this win over Waterford, which was watched by a 7,466 crowd.

“There was great support there today,” said Lyng. “I think that's important. I think the Kilkenny supporters are seeing a lot of new faces and they're seeing the effort from everybody. I think that's the most important thing. I think once they see that they're going to be happy and hopefully we get some results in the end of it."

While Lyng reported TJ Reid should return to action before the end of March, Queally admitted Waterford captain Conor Prunty’s quad injury is likely to sideline him until the championship.

He took heart from Stephen Bennett’s “outstanding” run to set up Seán Walsh’s 41st minute goal and the contribution of teenager Seán Mackey off the bench.

“In fairness, young Sean Mackey's only 19 years of age. Came on for Calum (Lyons) at wing-back. Scored three points from play so it's a good positive for us after the game.”