February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Pierce O’Reilly
Kilkenny 2-22, Waterford 2-16
If this classic encounter between two of the so-called "weaker contenders" for New York honors this season is anything to go by, the hurling fraternity is in for some exciting clashes of the ash at Gaelic Park this year. Sunday’s game had everything: good scores, outstanding individual performances and the craft and artistry that did the game justice from the puck off.
Kilkenny will be delighted to see Vinny Norton back to his best, and if he continues to hurl with such pride and passion over the summer, the Cats will make a big impression this year. Apart from his overall workrate, Norton was always on hand to assist his teammates, while his striking and accuracy was also from the top drawer.
Waterford were up for the challenge, and in Willie Maher at center forward they had a real hero. The Tipperary native was outstanding throughout and his point taking and ability to snatch the sliotar out of the sky were treats to behold.
At the interval, the sides were level 1-7 apiece, with the imports to the fore in both attacks.
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Ollie O’Connor was deadly for Kilkenny and hit some stunning points from play and from frees in the opening period. Maher at the other did the same. His ability to drive through the Kilkenny defense and bring his companions into play kept the Deises well in the hunt as they changed ends.
The second half produced some of the best hurling seen at Gaelic Park for some time. O’Connor, Martin Burke and Norton hit early points for Kilkenny before Brendan Ryan put them in the clear with an opportunist goal. The Cats had pounced, and from there to the end they held the advantage. Maher reeled in the Leinster boys with four fine frees, but with Mulally, Nolan and Byrne dominating at the back, the Cats soaked up all the pressure. Cathal Murray did manage to narrow the gap to two points with a slick goal with 15 minutes to play, but they failed to capitalize on their procession. Rory Moore, O’Connor and Paul Bulger put the final nails in the Waterford coffin. Vinnie Norton and Ollie O’Connor were outstanding for the Cats while Purcell, Maher and Murray stood out for the Deises.
Kilkenny: Kevin Martin, Liam Byrne, Owen Mulally, Kevin McKay, John Nolan, Peter Breen, Rory Moore (0-3), Vinnie Norton (0-5), Brendan Ryan (1-0), Martin Burke (0-1), Jerome Edge, Micheal Bevins, Ollie O’Connor (1-11). Subs: Mark Kennedy (0-2).
Waterford: Ian Duggan, Colm Whealan, Philip Wickham, Keith Hennessy, Richie Purcell, Tom O’Connor, Cathal Murray (2-01), Danny Sweeney, Donncha Crotty, Willie Maher (0-12), Brian McGlinchy, Stephen Roche, Musha Maher (0-2). Subs: Paul Bulger (0-1).