Kilkenny’s hurlers ride offense to easy victory

Kilkenny 4-21

Waterford 2-9

By Peter Nolan

Kilkenny started hot and heated up from there in a tremendous Senior Hurling display Sunday at Gaelic Park. The Cats amassed an outstanding 4-21 scoreline as they ran out easy winners over Waterford.

Kilkenny flew out of the traps, led by midfielder Kevin McKay and corner forward Damien Mason. Kilkenny’s players were a black and amber blur as they opened at an incredible pace, knocking the Deices back on their heels. Kilkenny’s early blitz yielded a 0-5 to 0-0 score as Waterford struggled to get in gear.

Waterford finally got on the board via a Roy Henley free, but any hopes of a revival were quickly quashed as Kilkenny responded almost immediately with a goal. Damien Mason served a beautiful ball to John Maher and the weekender had only to parry the sliothar to the Waterford net for Kilkenny’s first goal.

Kilkenny’s other import, Ollie Carter, was also on the ball, causing problems throughout and ending up with a 1-4 personal tally. While the Kilkenny attack was leaving the Waterford rearguard in tatters, their backs exerted a vise-like grip on the Waterford forwards.

On the rare occasion that Waterford attempted to press forward, they found no way through. Brendan Ryan in particular was impressive, although he was certainly well supported. Mason, in a fabulous performance, bagged two first-half goals and Gary Quinlan contributed another to the Cats’ gaudy first-half scoreline of 4-11. Wateford managed only a token resistance and trailed at the half 4-11 to 0-6, a 17-point hole.

Waterford poached two second-half goals, while Kilkenny’s snipers inevitably slowed their pace. But this match was over as a competition long before then.

After a result like this, the obvious question arises: are Kilkenny this good and are Waterford this bad? Waterford missed Victor O’Shea at center halfback, but no one player’s absence can explain such an effort. More was expected of them coming in, so we’ll have to see how they respond to this drubbing next time out.

As for Kilkenny, they were inspired. McKay was ready to take on all comers and his ball winning keyed that early burst. Carter showed that Charlie is not the only Carter who can hurl. But Mason’s performance was a revelation. He was motoring from the get go, and he was unstoppable.

Man of the Match: Damien Mason.

Kilkenny: Mike Collins, Liam Byrne, Kieran Carroll, Brendan Ryan (0-1), Dan Kenny, Richie Hogan, Vinny Norton (0-1), Kevin Mckay (0-3), Darren Doherty, Gary Quinlan (1-1), Ollie Carter (1-4), Damien Mason (1-7, 2 free), John Maher (1-3). Sub: Anthony Power (0-1).

Waterford: Ian Duggan, Kevin McCarthy, Stuart Barry, Tomas Maher (0-2, 1 free), Barry McGee, Colin Ruth, Fran Halpin (0-1), Ciaran O’Connor (0-2), Roy Henley (0-1, free), Rory Hussey, Liam O’Connor, Victor Cusak (1-0), Aiden Sweeney (1-1). Sub: Martin Hickey (0-1), Ray Duggan (0-1).