Kilkenny splashed their way to a three point win over Waterford at a rain lashed Walsh Park on Saturday afternoon (0-18 to 2-9).
In front of 2,907 fans, the Cats clawed their way back from five points down to make the last four of the NHL. TJ Reid rifled over eight frees while Eoin Cody struck three points from play. Derek Lyng lost All Star defender Mikey Butler to an ankle injury while Mikey Carey hobbled off with a hamstring problem.
Patrick Curran and Dessie Hutchinson netted first half goals for Waterford as Davy Fitzgerald's men mixed their game between short and long. The home side rued missed chances in the second half. Substitute Neil Montgomery saw a shot whizz past the post while Shane Bennett and Padraig Fitzgerald also shot off target. A fourth puck of a ball defeat for the Déise.
Only a handful of hardy souls sat in the open stand on a deplorable afternoon. Derek Lyng showed his intent as he went with ten players that started the All Ireland final defeat to Limerick last July. It was one of the newbies however that looked likely early on. Full forward Luke Hogan scored two points and got fouled for a free which TJ Reid converted (0-3 to 0-0).
In the eighth minute, Shane Bennett mishit a 65 but Patrick Curran flicked the sliotar to the net. It got better for the hosts six minutes later as Bennett shrugged off two defenders and offloaded to Dessie Hutchinson who fired home (2-2 to 0-4).
When Mark Fitzgerald finished off a slick short passing move, Waterford led by five. Points from Reid (free), John Donnelly and Kevin Blanchfield cut the gap to two at the break (2-5 to 0-9).
As the weather worsened and the pitch cut up, six TJ Reid frees and two Eoin Cody efforts from play flipped the game in Kilkenny's favour. They got their noses in front with eleven minutes left.
Referee Johnny Murphy penalised Waterford for steps three times in the second half, much to the frustration of Fitzgerald and his management team on the sideline. The home side created enough chances to claim a morale boosting result. Substitute Neil Montgomery was only a whisker away from a green flag. Shane Bennett sent a free wide while Padraig Fitzgerald missed one from play.
Eoin Cody assisted an injury time point for Kilkenny sub Billy Ryan to push them two scores clear. Patrick Fitzgerald raised a white flag at the other end before a last gasp penalty appeal was waved away.
