Lessons learned as Kilkenny bow out of All-Ireland minor series

Kilkenny’s minor Gaelic footballers made history on Saturday, lining out for the county’s first-ever match in the All-Ireland minor football championship. They faced Waterford in Lemybrien, Waterford, on a scorching afternoon.

Waterford opened the scoring in the eighth minute with a pointed free, but Kilkenny responded swiftly, midfielder Cian O’Reilly splitting the posts from play after some slick interplay.

Kilkenny’s Harry Antonesa looking for support. Pictures: Willie Dempsey

Waterford edged ahead with another point from play before Kilkenny had a strong penalty appeal turned down following a challenge on Sean Rea. Darragh Lyons calmly converted the resulting free from the edge of the square.
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The Noresiders began to settle, dominating possession and transitioning smartly from defence to attack.
A free from the 45-metre line was expertly struck over the bar by goalkeeper Darragh O’Neill for a valuable two-point score.

From the subsequent Waterford kickout, Kilkenny regained possession and worked the ball to Daniel Tallis, who swung over a fine point from the right flank. At the 20-minute mark, Kilkenny led 0-5 to 0-2 and looked to be in control.
momentum

However, Waterford soon wrestled back the momentum. A point from play was followed by a quickfire goal and another point, propelling the Déise into a 1-4 to 0-5 lead.
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Their second goal came from a powerful surge through the centre, with a fine finish to boot.
Kilkenny responded with another Tallis point before the break, but Waterford finished the half strongly, taking a commanding 2-9 to 0-6 lead into the dressing room.

Kilkenny introduced Cooper Delaney for Peter Ward at the interval, but it was Waterford who started the brighter. They added a point straight from the throw-in and continued to keep the scoreboard ticking.
O’Neill produced a superb point-blank save in the 37th minute, though Waterford pointed the rebound.

Despite increasing pressure, Kilkenny stuck to the expansive, structured style that served them well during their Leinster campaign. O’Neill added another free to bring Kilkenny to 0-7, but Waterford extended their lead again through a free advanced from the kickout due to an obstruction call. Dooley added a well-taken point, Kilkenny’s final score of the day.

There was late drama when Waterford’s Andrew Ryan received a red card for an off-the-ball incident involving Kilkenny full-back Liam Keogh.

O’Neill made another fine save only for the rebound to be sent over the bar. Waterford closed out the game with another point from play, sealing a 2-18 to 0-8 victory.

TEAMS
Kilkenny Squad - Darragh O’Neill (Barrow Rangers), Darragh Horgan (Conahy Shamrocks), Liam Keogh (Bennettsbridge), Blake Wheeler (Piltown), Harry Antonesa (Graignamanagh), Eoin Walpole (Bennettsbridge) – Captain, David Phelan (Kilmacow), Cian O’Reilly (Barrow Rangers), Jack Stapleton (St. Martin’s), Daniel Tallis (St. Martin’s), Darragh Lyons (Kilmoganny), Sean Rea (James Stephens), Conor Dillon (Danesfort), Peter Ward (Railyard), Amir Zouaoui (Railyard), Sean Sheridan (Kilmoganny), Conor Tynan (Dicksboro), Pauric Hanlon (Barrow Rangers), Cillian Murphy (Graignamanagh), Luke Walsh (Fenians), Cooper Delaney (James Stephens), Jack Keating (Barrow Rangers), Ted Healy (St Martin’s), Geoff Dooley (St Martin’s), Stephen O’Shea (Mullinavat), Andrew Donohoe (Barrow Rangers), Donnacha Corcoran (Mullinavat), Cormac Diver (St Patrick’s), Jack Kennedy (John Lockes), Cillian Dunphy (Lisdowney), Jamie Hurley (Railyard), Robbie Barron (Thomastown).
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