The Cats took on the Deise yesterday in one of the best games of hurling we’ve seen in a long time, so here are a few of the best shots from it
Penalty controversy, last minute points ruled out, extra-time and one absolutely fantastic match is what we saw yesterday between Kilkenny and Waterford, a game that will live long in the memory.
With only a few minutes remaining in the game, it looked like Kilkenny had it as they led by five points, but Waterford pulled the difference back and the the two sides were matched right to the final whistle, which the referee blew as Matthew Ruth was firing over what would have been the winning point.
However, it seems the whistle had gone beforehand, and the game went to extra time despite some fierce protestations from the Kilkenny players.
That wasn’t the only controversy of course, as the whole incident surrounding the penalty awarded to Aidan Fogarty before the half will also be a topic of debate. Richie Power’s shot hit the crossbar and then against the back stanchion, but the green flag was raised, to even more protestations from the Waterford men.
The game continued to swing back and forth, and Brian Cody thought that his team had won it late in extra time when Matthew Ruth fired a shot at the Waterford goal that he thought had gone in, but Stephen O’Keeffe pulled off an incredible save, not for the first time that day either. The final whistle went, to scenes of exhausted celebrations from the Kilkenny lads, and sheer despair from Waterford who had given it everything, but just came up short by as Kilkenny won by a score of 1-22 to 2-16.
Truth be told, neither side deserved to lose this one, but what a spectacle it was to watch. Whatever action today has in store will be hard pushed to live up to the excitement of what we saw yesterday, The Sunday Game is going to be a long one tonight…
