BRAVE EFFORT JUST FAILS
The Waterford Minor Hurling team came so agonisingly close to another All-Ireland appearance as they went down 1-23 to 1-14 to Kilkenny at Croke Park on Sunday last. Although there was a nine point differential between the sides as referee John Keenan called time the final score simply does not give a true reflection of the game itself. Following some rain overnight the conditions were somewhat slippy as old rivals Waterford and Kilkenny lined up for a repeat of their 2013 semi-final. Both outfits had shown improved form in recent weeks and while the Cats were slight favourites following their nine point defeat of Dublin in their provincial final, Waterford were quietly confident. Derek Lyons and his fellow Waterford management went with the starting as expected while Pat Hoban made one change to the Kilkenny defence with Tommy Walsh (no, not him) coming in at corner back.
Waterford were first on the attack as Patrick Curran saw his effort blocked. A superb run from Deise midfielder Andy Molumby opened the scoring in the second minute. Kilkenny however tagged three points from Liam Blanchfield, Sean Morrissey and Alan Murphy before ten minutes had elapsed. Cormac Curran had a Waterford point but Kilkenny were winning the lion's share and three more points followed from Morrissey and a brace from Alan Murphy. A Patrick Curran pointed free saw the Cats 0-6 to 0-3 as the clock passed the quarter hour mark. Alan Murphy and Andy Molumby exchanged points before the Kilkenny goal had a major escape. As the ball dropped behind the defence Stephen Bennett flick past keeper Darren Brennan but saw the ball go agonisingly wide. While Kilkenny were on top at this stage Waterford were racking up the wide count with three or four scoring efforts outside the post. A point apiece from Billy Ryan and Conor Browne and Kilkenny were 0-9 to 0-4 ahead. Waterford battled hard and saw two more points on the board from Shane Ryan and Colm Roche. The last score of the half fell to Alan Murphy as the Glenmore lad showed what an excellent marksman he is by slotting over. Half time and Kilkenny had four to spare 0-10 to 0-6.
Waterford opened brightly in the second half as Patrick Curran pointed. Waterford keeper Billy Nolan was called on in the 32nd minute as he brought off a magnificent save from Liam Blanchfield. From the resultant 65 metre free Alan Murphy pointed. The Deise needed a huge momentum swing and it arrived in the second minute of the half. Andy Molumby won possession in midfield and sent Stephen Bennett through. The young Ballysaggart forward evaded the despairing tackles from the Kilkenny defence and crashed the ball to the net. Game on. Patrick Curran collected the puck out and flashed over. Sides level 1-8 to 0-11. Had the pendulum swung? We wondered. John Walsh pointed for Kilkenny to edge them ahead in the 37th minute but Andy Molumby levelled within two minutes. Ed Meaney replaced Shane Ryan in the Deise attack. Ronan Corcoran and Alan Murphy added two points for the Noresiders 0-14 to 1-9. Shane Murray replaced Jack Mullaney in the Deise defence. Ed Meaney pointed to leave the minimum between the sides 0-14 to 1-10. Liam Blanchfield pointed for Kilkenny. Waterford came with the big push. A Patrick Curran free split the posts. The Dungarvan lad repeated the dose. Teams level 1-12 to 0-15. Cormac Curran pointed and Waterford were ahead 1-13 to 0-16. A breaking ball went the way of the Cats but Roanmore clubman Billy Nolan saved at the expense of a 65 metre free. Alan Murphy pointed. Teams level with less than a minute on the clock. Waterford did break out of defence but the ball was lost and the game went to extra time.
Another twenty minutes. The players had given their all but now had to face another twenty minutes. Kilkenny hit first in extra time with Liam Blanchfield pointing. Patrick Curran fouled and the Dungarvan lad points. Teams level again. Alan Murphy lands two precious points in the dying minutes to leave the Cats 0-19 to 1-14 ahead. Waterford appeared to be visibly tiring. The second period of extra time showed just how much this young Waterford side had put into the game as Kilkenny edged ahead through Alan Murphy. Substitute John Walsh evaded the Waterford defence as the Mullinavat lad burst through to goal 1-20 to 0-14. Three points followed from Alan Murphy and a brace from Liam Blanchfield to see Kilkenny safely through to the final in September on a flattering 1-23 to 1-14 scoreline. No doubt Kilkenny were by far the better team in the extra time but Waterford did have a huge opportunity in the regular 60 minutes to grasp the win. Unfortunately it was not to be and while they will be hugely disappointed to return home empty handed this panel of players can be justifiably proud of their season. Well done lads for the great days out.
