Allianz NHL Main Talking Points- Kilkenny v Waterford

MAIN MAN

Cian Kenny

Like many of his team-mates he took time to settle in a game where the pitch was a mudbath and the sliotar resembled a bar of soap, but the Village man grew in stature and helped shore up the middle, shutting down Waterford’s avenue to scores.

TURNING POINT

Not an in-game moment as such, but the half-time break allowed Kilkenny to clear their heads and, after an indifferent first half, get to grips with the elements and the Waterford gameplan.

TALKING POINT

Could the match have been called off? An afternoon of what turned out to be a continuous deluge started just minutes before throw-in and never let up. Credit to both teams for giving their all, but it made a dangerous afternoon, as Kilkenny can attest with the injuries suffered by Mikey Butler and Mikey Carey. A short walk across the pitch to the dressing-rooms for post-match reaction highlighted how dreadful conditions were, with large parts of the surface left water-logged while other parts were cut up.

REF WATCH

Johnny Kelly may have frustrated Kilkenny supporters with some of his calls in the first half, but there was little he could do given the conditions., letting the game flow as best he could.

WHAT NOW?

Kilkenny will play Limerick in the league semi-final this weekend. With the Gaelic Grounds of action, it’s back to Cork to face the League and All-Ireland champions on Saturday in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh at 4.30pm. The game will be broadcast on TG4.

ATTENDANCE

A hardy 2,907 people attended the game in rain-sodden Walsh Park - and deserve the plaudits for doing so!