The Margin didn't quite suggest it, but there was little to detain those who wanted to avoid the post-match traffic at Walsh Park yesterday. Kilkenny came to town with an understanding of the nature of the work ahead of them. Then they just went about their business with quiet efficiency.
For Waterford, defeat in March to one of the bordering superpowers isn't exactly a novel trauma, but it is one they could do without as hurling doctors up and down the country examine the team's pulse to see if there is any life left.
There was life yesterday and some vigour, but a little artistic beauty was lacking. Kilkenny had lots of creative souls. Peter Barry toiled splendidly in the half-back line. Charlie Carter and Ken O'Shea up front had those inspirational moments which keep corner forwards young and, in between them, Henry Shefflin, fresh from Fitzgibbon business, got an extension on his work visa at full forward.
Kilkenny manager Brian Cody was content with what had transpired. His team has a lot to prove. Yesterday was a beginning.
"It's competitive and it would be a terrific competition to win. Any of the lads would very much like to win it. Many people wouldn't have expected the result from Laois (who beat Cork). The group is now wide open."
Of course, it could have been different. Waterford can count the regrets. Having started imposingly, with a point from Barry Browne and then a sixth-minute goal when Micheal White knocked a Tony Browne sideline cut to the net, they seemed determined to make an emphatic point about the relationship between the two counties.
Kilkenny were as nonplussed as only aristocrats have a right to be. They chipped away, thieving a point here, another there, as Waterford huffed and puffed. That essentially was the difference between the sides - Kilkenny had a little spikiness up front. The moments which go straight into the highlights reel all came from Kilkenny.
Both sides had changes forced on them. Kilkenny's Andy Comerford had gone missing as a result of illness during the week and Dermot Maher filled in at midfield, while Waterford had to introduce Barry Browne for Brian Greene.
A lively first half got the sides to the break on level terms, a testimony more to Waterford's carelessness in losing their early lead than anything else. The half finished with a flurry of Kilkenny scores, as if they were merely sparing themselves a halftime tongue-lashing. Carter knocked over two flashy points as his influence grew and Shefflin nailed down the equalising score just before the break.
The second half was a little sparkier. Waterford pressed again early on and there was a plethora of positional changes in both attacks as they fumbled for the right combination. The defining moment came eight minutes into the half, though, when a Brian McEvoy long ball was pulled to the net by Ken O'Shea. It was a glimmering overhead stroke, but post mortem inquiries will centre on the whereabouts of his marker.
That score gave Kilkenny a two-point lead and although they didn't keep that advantage intact to the end, they seldom looked like losing the game either.
Micheal White was operating at full forward by now and his influence on proceedings was Waterford's best hope of a reprieve. He pulled back a point and Bennett and Tony Browne contributed frees to steady the home side. Then Kilkenny began to stretch their limbs.
Carter had a lovely score. O'Shea added to it. Substitutes Grehan and Moloney chipped in with a couple and by then it was virtually all over. DJ Carey never got out of second gear, but then he never needed to.
"Even though we were in the All-Ireland last year we have work to do. We have enough players, though, that we're not just filling jerseys," added Cody afterwards. And he was right. Those players looking to establish themselves had all done a good hour's work.
For Waterford the drawing board beckons. Gerald McCarthy needs a nice run before the summer.
"It was level with about 10 minutes to go, but in fairness Kilkenny upped their performance in the second half, some great scores in the second half. A win was vital for us both today. That leaves us with an uphill struggle really."
Not the way to pass the spring.
KILKENNY: J McGarry; J Butler, J Costello, T Hickey; M Kavanagh, E Kennedy, P Barry; D Maher (0-1), T Murphy; DJ Carey (0-1, free), J Hoyne, B McEvoy; K O'Shea (1-2), H Shefflin (0- 6, four frees), C Carter (0-4). Subs: S Grehan (0-1) for Maher (43 mins), N Moloney (0-1) for Hoyne (45 mins).
WATERFORD: B Landers; T Feeney, S Cullinane, B Flannery; P Quelly, F Hartley, S Frampton; T Browne (0-1), B O'Sullivan; M Molumphy, K McGrath, D Bennet (0-6 frees); M White (1-4), A Kirwan, B Browne (0-1). Subs: S Daly for Molumphy (38 mins), A Lannon for B Browne (48 mins).
Referee: P Horan (Offaly).
