Kilkenny are through to their ninth All Ireland hurling decider in ten years after defeating Waterford on a scoreline of 1-21 to 0-18 at headquarters.
It took all of 17 minutes for TJ Reid to impose himself on the game when he struck the game's only goal and pushed Kilkenny into a lead that would set them on their way to their 14th All Ireland final under Brian Cody's watch. Reid would land 1-7 before the referee blew the half time whistle and landed 1-9 in total to give his side a somewhat convincing win in the first semi-final to be played in this year's hurling series.
The Cats lead at half time by two points with the game hanging in the balance, but Kilkenny would outlast their opponents and outscored them by five points to two as the second half resumed.
Waterford were sloppy with their passing and a lot of their shooting options on the day were questionable, as a team of Kilkenny's caliber punished them on several occasions for such poor decision making.
Colin Dunford pushed hardest in the second half for Waterford as he chipped over four points to stay within touching distance of the reigning All Ireland champions.
Kilkenny were not to be beaten, however, as they advance to play either Galway or Tipperary in next month's decider.
KILKENNY: E Murphy, P Murphy, J Holden, S Prendergast, P Walsh, K Joyce, C Buckley(0-01), M Fennelly(0-01), C Fogarty, W Walsh, R Hogan(0-05), TJ Reid(1-09, 6 frees), G Aylward(0-04), C Fennelly, E Larkin(0-01). Subs: J Power for W Walsh(67’).
WATERFORD: S O’Keeffe, S Fives, B Coughlan, N Connors, T de Búrca, A Gleeson(0-03), P Mahony, J Barron, D Fives, K Moran(0-01), S Bennett(0-01), J Dillon, M Shanahan(0-09 6 frees 1 65), M Walsh, C Dunford(0-04). Subs: P Curran for J Dillon (53’), Stephen Bennett for Shane Bennett (57’).
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