Kilkenny City intend to spend the summer preparing for their return to top flight football, following their defeat of Waterford in the relegation/promotion play-off.
On Wednesday night Kilkenny won the first-leg at Buckley Park through a Brendan Rea goal and they clinched promotion with a Brian Jordan goal in time added on at the RSC on Saturday night.
Afterwards a delighted City general manager Jimmy Rhatigan said they did not underestimate the tasks ahead but everyone at the club was looking forward to the challenge.
Kilkenny's one goal victory at Buckley Park looked like being enough until substitute Jordan popped up for his late late winner. As on many occasions during the season, Waterford completely dominated the exchanges but fell down at the final hurdle - their league tally of 24 goals in 35 games tells its own sad story.
Alan Kirby struck the upright in the first half and in the second period, Karl Gannon, Derek McGrath and Kirby all went close for the Blues, but the real drama unfolded nine minutes from time.
Fran Carter was adjudged to have pushed Alan Reynolds and Waterford were handed the lifeline of a penalty. McGrath bravely opted to take the kick; but goalkeeper Robert Forde, who had produced a string of excellent saves all night, dived to his left and saved.
WATERFORD UNITED: Devine, Smith, Frost, Reynolds, Riordan, Whittle, Kirby, McGrath, Gannon, Markey, Griffin. Sub: Wood for Griffin (68 mins).
KILKENNY CITY: R Forde, Mulcahy, Carolan, Kerley, Breen, Scully, Carter, A Forde, Vaughan, Prizeman, Rea, Subs: Mearns for Rae (9 mins); Jordan for Scully (57 mins); Walsh for A Forde (84 mins).
Referee: G Perry (Dublin).
