Waterford 2-12
Kilkenny 0-16
WATERFORD TOOK A step towards their first All-Ireland minor hurling title in 65 years after they edged Kilkenny in an exciting Croke Park curtain-raiser.
First-half goals from Adam Farrell and DJ Foran proved decisive as the Déise held on in a tight semi-final which saw both sides finish with 14 men.
Farrell’s inclusion at wing-forward was one of three changes made by Sean Power and it took just seven minutes for the De La Salle man to score the game’s opening goal, tapping in at the back post following some determined work by Stephen Bennett.
Kilkenny weren’t deterred and a quick trio of frees from Alan Murphy helped them back in front, 0-5 to 1-1. Their lead was shortlived though and on 15 minutes Foran burst through and thundered home Waterford’s second goal, rattling the back stanchion of the Canel End net.
Murphy finished the game with an individual tally of 10 points, all from frees, and it was his scores that kept the margin to two points at the break, Waterford leading 2-5 to 0-9.
With so little to choose between the sides it looked as though Shane Bennett’s dismissal for a second yellow card on 48 minutes might tip the balance in Kilkenny’s favour.
But they never made their numerical advantage pay and Waterford still led by two when Eoin Kenny fouled Austin Gleeson and was given his marching orders.
Patrick Curran and Bennett both missed chances to settle the Déise nerves inside the final five minutes before Foran crucially pointed to help them over the line.
Waterford will now play either Munster champions Limerick or Galway in the final on 8 September.
Scorers for Waterford: Patrick Curran 0-7 (0-4f, 0-1 ’65), DJ Foran 1-1, Adam Farrell 1-0, Austin Gleeson, Mark O’Brien, Stephen Bennett, Michael Kearney 0-1 each.
Scorers for Kilkenny: Alan Murphy 0-10 (0-10f), Liam Blanchfield, John Walsh 0-2 each, Niall Mullins, Kevin Kenny 0-1 each.
Waterford: Gavin Power (Dungarvan); William Hahessy (Clonea), Kevin Daly (Dungarvan), Cian Leamy (Ballyduff Upper); Micheal Harney (Bonmahon), Austin Gleeson (Mount Sion), Shane Bennett (Ballysaggart), Mark O’Brien (Ferrybank), Tom Devine (Modeligo); Adam Farrell (De La Salle), Colm Roche (Shamrocks), DJ Foran (Portlaw); Patrick Curran (Dungarvan), Stephen Bennett (Ballysaggart), Michael Kearney (Ballyduff Upper).Subs: Cormac Curran (Brickey Rangers) for Roche (41), Conor Gleeson (Fourmilewater) for Farrell (49), Sean Hogan (Passage) for Foran (60).
Kilkenny: Darren Brennan (St. Lachtains); Conor Delaney (Erins Own), Evan Cody (Dicksboro), Ciaran Wallace (Erins Own); James Maher (St. Lachtains), Jason Stanley (Galmoy), Darragh Joyce (Rower Inistioge); Niall Mullins (James Stephens), Ciaran Ryan (Rower Inistioge); Liam Blanchfield (Bennettsbridge), Vinny Teehan (Graigue Ballycallan), Kevin Kenny (Dicksboro); Alan Murphy (Glenmore), John Walsh (Mullinavat), Eoin Kenny (Slieverue).Subs: Michael Kenny (Lisdowney) for Mullins (33), Luke Scanlon (James Stephens) for Ryan (45).
Referee: Shane Hourigan (Limerick)
