Kilkenny into semis after win over gritty Waterford

Goals proved to be the golden currency for joint defending champions Kilkenny as they halted Waterford's winning run in the Allianz Hurling League to book a semi-final place against Cork.

A first half goal from Cillian Buckley proved to be a huge boost at a time when the Cats were finding life difficult at UPMC Nowlan Park. Then a second goal from Billy Ryan in the 46th minute put Kilkenny into a strong 2-14 to 0-13 lead, and they were never seriously troubled afterwards.

Waterford, who also went through to the semi-finals where they will face Wexford, were reduced to 14 men in the 61st minute when DJ Foran was shown a straight red card following a foul on Mikey Butler that was more awkward than malicious.

The losers showed grit and claimed the next three points through Austin Gleeson, Dessie Hutchinson and Gleeson again, but when Kilkenny freetaker Alan Murphy halted their gallop, punishing a foul on John Donnelly, the home side eased away to victory.

The action was fast and open from the throw-in. The mood was set early on when Alan Murphy and Mikey Kiely traded points. A Pauric Mahony free was followed by a Walter Walsh point, following a beautiful 40-metre crossfield pass from Martin Keoghan, but for a while afterwards Waterford enjoyed the better of things.

The Suirsiders drove on and produced some really impressive high-intensity, fast-moving, possession-based hurling during the rest of the quarter. Points from Mahony and Austin Gleeson set them on their way to a 0-07 to 0-03 lead by the 12th minute, and they could easily have been better off.

Gleeson pierced the home defence and sent a sizzling shot, left to right, across the face of the Kilkenny goal in the 14th minute at a time Waterford were on top and threatening.

Ki