Carey gives neighbours a lesson in the game

"They (Kilkenny) gave us a hurling lesson of commitment on the ball and superb team work," said Waterford manager Gerald McCarthy after this game, in a fair summation. "It was a blow to our morale but not a mortal one. I, and the players know we are much better than that," McCarthy added, obviously trying to keep the best side out.

With DJ Carey orchestrating matters in an unaccustomed midfield role, Waterford, despite deploying 20 players, were patently unable to respond with anything better than a lethargic 80 minutes display before 8,000 spectators that see-sawed between bad and awful.

The pitch was heavy and bumpy and led to frayed tempers, but Kilkenny proceeded to demonstrate that class will always out no matter how bad the conditions.

Carey scored a wonderful goal in just five minutes and 10 minutes later Henry Shefflin lost his marker Tom Feeney, wandered from the left corner to the far wing to pick up an astute Aidan Cummins delivery and left Brian Flannery for dead before crashing home a second Kilkenny goal.

Cummins, a nephew of former midfield giant Frank, was showing highly effective form alongside Carey, who then landed some classy points. Easily the best struck by the Kilkenny wizard in his 1-3 contribution was one just before half time when he soloed 30 yards, the ball glued to his stick, before striking over the bar without ever handling.

Kilkenny manager Brian Cody must have been hugely impressed with the incisive showing of Alan Geoghegan on the left wing. The O'Loughlins player sent over three excellently-taken points and helped out in defence.

In a disorganised home team only midfielder Tony Browne retained his original position. The five Waterford substitutes were sprung in sheer desperation, while the .four introduced in the second half by Cody were brought on as experiments.

Waterford's fumbling varied from the ball slipping away from Ken McGrath as he tried to lift when taking a 65 to the same player shooting closer to the corner flag than the Kilkenny posts from a feasible position.

Waterford had been edged to the brink of destruction long before these chances came their way. John Mullane had a goal chance in the second quarter when Waterford were crying out for inspiration, trailing by 0-1 to 2-2 but his shot was poor.

Waterford had struck five of their total of 13 wides in that first half and trailed by 2-7 to 03 at half time.

Kilkenny goalkeeper James McGarry saved well in the second half when McGrath, in desperation, tried for a goal from a close free. Earlier the Kilkenny man blocked a Seamus Prendergast effort.

Kilkenny's task could conceivably have been made a lot more difficult had Waterford possessed a few more defenders of the calibre of left corner back Brian Flannery.

Paul Flynn, too, may have made a difference had he been introduced earlier. As it was the ball didn't run his way following his far too late entrance.

Kilkenny: J McGarry; M Kavanagh, N Hickey, D Grogan; P Larkin, E Kennedy, P Barry; DJ Carey (1-3), A Cummins; JP Corcoran (0-2), S Grehan (0-2), A Geoghegan (0-3); J Coogan (0-1), T Drennan (0-1), H Shefflin (1-2 two frees). Subs: P Mullally for Larkin (half-time); J Barron for Coogan (62 mins); D Lyng for Barry (65 mins); S Dowling for Geoghegan (67 mins).

Waterford: B Landers; T Feeney, S Cullinane, B Flannery; V O'Shea, S Frampton, J O'Connor; P Queally, T Browne (0-3, one free); K McGrath (0-1) S Prendergast (0-1), P Prendergast; J Mullane, P Walsh, D Bennett (0- 2, one free). Subs: D Shanahan (0-1) for Walsh (27 mins); J Brenner for O'Shea (halftime); J Murray for Queally (43 mins); E Kelly for P Prendergast (52 mins); P Flynn for Mullane (52 mins).

Referee: D Kirwan (Cork).