Stoppage time free sees Kilkenny claim local derby success over Waterford

Kilkenny needed a 76th minute Cian Kenny free to prevail as they claimed a one point victory over Waterford in the Allianz League at UPMC Nowlan Park.

The south-east derby was nip and tuck throughout a chaotic second half but with the Cats landing the last three points, Derek Lyng's men did enough to come out on top.

Kilkenny were chasing a second win of the league campaign and aided by a Mossy Keoghan goal, they looked in control when leading 1-4 to 0-2 after 13 minutes of play.

Cian Kenny had a good day on the frees and along with Jordan Molloy and Mikey Butler chipping in from play, the margin of advantage soon moved out to six points.

Read Next- Late St Flannan's flourish denies Kilkenny CBC in All-Ireland Quarter-Final

Waterford then got a second wind and with Mark Fitzgerald, Paddy Leavey, Shane Bennett and Jamie Barron all finding their range.

Waterford first half sub Sean Mackey also added on two more points before the interval but Kenny landing his fourth score of the half, Kilkenny led by the minimum (1-11 to 0-13).

Kenny and David Blanchfield moved the margin out to three at the start of the second half and with a big wind at their back, they looked in a degree of control.

That all changed when Sean Walsh found the net in the 41st minute and with Patrick Curran pointing from play, the Deise edged their way to the front.

Kilkenny battled back with points from Keoghan, Ed McDermott, John Donnelly, Darragh Corcoran and Eoin Cody but still the visitors wouldn't go away and four points on the spin had them leading 1-20 to 1-18 entering stoppage time.

The Cats got the benefit of five minutes being added on and Kenny and Keoghan quicklty doubled up to level proceedings and when a draw looked most likely, the home side grabbed a last gasp winner when the James Stephens free-taker split the posts with almost the last puck of the game.

Teams and Scorers

Kilkenny- Cian Kenny (0-7, 6fs); Martin Keoghan (1-2); Liam Moore, Eoin Cody, David Blanchfield (0-2 each); Timmy Clifford, Jordan Molloy, Darragh Corcoran, Mikey Butler, Ed McDermott, John Donnelly (0-1 each)

Waterford- Sean Walsh (1-2); Stephen Bennett (0-5, 2fs and 1 '65); Sean Mackey (0-3); Shane Bennett, Jamie Barron (0-2 each); Charlie Treen, Reuben Halloran, Paddy Leavey, Mark Fitzgerald, Michael Kiely, Patrick Curran (0-1 each)

Kilkenny- Eoin Murphy; Mikey Butler, Michael Carey, Rory Garrett; Killian Doyle, Darragh Corcoran, Paddy Deegan; Jordan Molloy, David Blanchfield; Timmy Clifford, Eoin Cody, Cian Kenny; Stephen Donnelly, Liam Moore, Martin Keoghan.

Subs: John Donnelly for Clifford, 44 mins; Ed McDermott for S.Donnelly, 50 mins; Richie Reid for Butler, 64 mins; Michael Brennan for Moore, 68 mins; Luke Connellan for Molloy, 76 mins.

Waterford- Billy Nolan; Aaron O'Neill, Mark Fitzgerald, Conor Keane; Paddy Leavey, Iarlaith Daly, Shane Bennett; Michael Kiely, Jamie Barron; Calum Lyons, Kevin Mahony, Reuben Halloran; Stephen Bennett, Sean Walsh, Charlie Treen.

Subs: Sean Mackey for Lyons, 31 mins; Patrick Curran for Treen, h-t; Jack Predergast for Keane, 41 mins; Dessie Hutchinson for Mahony, 53 mins.

Referee- Sean Stack (Dublin)