Kilkenny agony as Waterford stun Cats in All-Ireland MHC Semi-Final

Kilkenny's wait for an All-Ireland Minor hurling title goes on after they lost out to Waterford in a thriling All-Ireland Semi-Final clash in Chadwicks Wexford Park on Saturday night.

It's 2014 since the Cats last won an All-Ireland at this grade and despite making a brilliant start, Niall Bergin's team can have no complaints as they were beaten by the better side on the night.

Cian Byrne had given Kilkenny a dream opening when finding the net inside the opening minute and while Jake Mullen, Kevin Buggy and Ollie O'Donovan added on further points, the Leinster champions could neber get away from their opponents.

A Cormac Spain goal halfway through the opening period firmly put the momentum in the Deise's corner and with Jamie Shanahan and Shane Power to the fore, it was the Munster side that led 1-10 to 1-7 at the change of ends.

Five points on the spin at the start of the second half helped Kilkeny retake the lead but again Waterford wouldn't go away and although they trailed by three in the 38th minute, they came back with 1-7 without reply.

Spain's second goal on the night gave them a huge advantage on the scoreboard and Kilkenny had it all to do going into the final ten minutes.

A stoppage time goal from Kilkenny sub Adam Maher gave hope to a late comeback but teh Waterford defence stood tall and managed by former Shamrocks Ballyhale boss James O'Connor, they held out to win by three poits in the end.

Waterford will now play Cork or Clare in the decider in a fortnight's time.

Teams and Scorers

Waterford: Cormac Spain (2-6, 5fs); Shane Power (0-4); Jamie Shanahan, Gearoid O'Shea (0-3 each); Hugo Quann, Eanna McHugh, Jack Power, Dylan Murphy, Caoilinn Reville (0-1 each)

Kilkenny: Jake Mullen (0-6, 6fs) Cian Byrne (1-1); Adam Maher (1-0); Kevin Buggy (0-3); Ollie O'Donovan, Conor Holohan, Eoin Brennan (0-2 each); Diarmuid Behan, Brian Hickey (0-1 each)

Waterford: James Comerford; Conor Lynch, Daragh Murphy, Darragh Keane; Bradley Penkert, Hugo Quann, Tommy Kennedy; Eanna McHugh, Gearóid O’Shea; Pierce Quann, Jack Power, Shane Power; Dylan Murphy, Cormac Spain, Jamie Shanahan.

Subs: Caoilinn Reville for Penkert (56 mins).

Kilkenny: Jake O’Doherty; Oisin Henderson, Larry Phelan, Darragh Hickey; Ben Nevin, Josh Dowling, PJ Mackey; Diarmuid Behan, Brian Hickey; Kevin Buggy, Ollie O’Donovan, Jake Mullen; Eoin Brennan; Conor Holahan, Cian Byrne.

Subs: Adam Maher for Byrne (45 mins); Kealan Barcoe for Hickey (54 mins); Sean Hanrahan for Mullen (60 mins) 

Referee: Eamonn Furlong (Wexford)